The identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptosporidium</Emphasis> species in Isfahan,Iran by PCR-RFLP analysis of the 18S rRNA gene

Cryptosporidium is an important protozoan that causes diarrheal illness in humans and animals. Different species of Cryptosporidium have been reported and it is believed that species characteristics are an important factor to be considered in strategic planning for control. We therefore analyzed oocysts from human and animal isolates of Cryptosporidium by PCR-RFLP to determine strain variation in Isfahan. In total, 642 human fecal samples from children under five years of age, imunocompromised patients, and high-risk persons and 480 randomly selected rectal specimens of cows and calves in Isfahan were examined. Microscopic examination showed that 4.7% (30/642) of human samples and 6.2% (30/480) of animal samples were infected with Cryptosporidium. After identification of the samples infected with the parasite, oocysts were purified and their DNA was extracted. We used PCR-RFLP analysis of a 1750-bp region of the 18S rRNA gene to identify Cryptosporidium species. The human samples were infected with Cryptosporidium parvum II, C. muris, C. wrairi, and a new genotype of Cryptosporidium (GenBank accession no. DQ520951). The cattle samples were identified as C. parvum II, C. muris, C. wrairi, C. serpentis, C. baileyi, and a new genotype of Cryptosporidium (GenBank accession no. DQ520952). We also found a new genotype infecting both human and cattle samples (GenBank accession no. DQ520950). In addition to demonstrating the widespread occurrence of most species of Cryptosporidium, C. parvum, we also observed extensive polymorphism within species. Furthermore, the occurrence of the same species of parasite in both animal and human samples shows the importance of the animal and human cycle. Published in Russian in Molekulyarnaya Biologiya, 2007, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 934–939. The article was translated by the authors.     

Incidence of seed-borne fungi and aflatoxins in Sudanese lentil seeds

Thirteen seed samples of lentil (Lens esculenta) were incubated on agar plate and moist filter papers (Moist Chambers) at 28 ± 2 °C for determination of the incidence of seed-borne fungi. Aflatoxins content of the seeds was measured using the bright greenish-yellow fluorescence test (BGYF) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Sixty-nine species and seven varieties, which belong to 24 genera of fungi, were isolated from this crop. Of these fungi, 51 species and two varieties are considered new for this crop, whereas seven genera and 13 species are new to the mycoflora of the Sudan. The genus Aspergillus (13 species and 6 varieties) which comprising 44% of the total colony count was the most prevalent genus followed by Rhizopus (2 species, 19%), Penicillium (6 species) and Fusarium (8 species) (12%), Chaetomium (3 species) and Cladosporium (5 species) (6%), where the 18 genera (1–4 species) showed very low level of incidence (19%). Of the possible pathogens of lentil plants, F. oxysporum the main cause of vascular wilt was recovered from seeds of this crop. Thin layer chromatographic analysis of chloroform extracts of 13 seed samples showed that only one samples was naturally contaminated with aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂ (14.3 μg/kg). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Some Nitzschia and related diatom species from fast ice samples in the Arctic and Antarctic

Summary Some Nitzschia and closely related species have been examined in the light and electron microscopes from fast ice samples in the Arctic and Antarctic. Nitzschia neofrigida, forming arborescent colonies, and Nitzschia promare, forming loose ribbon colonies, are described as new species, both probably included in the distribution of other similar species. A new combination, Auricula compacta, represents the first report of this genus from ice samples. Colony formation is reported for the first time in Nitzschia arctica and Nitzschia taeniiformis. No biopolar species were found and several reports of Arctic species in Antarctic ice samples have been refuted.     

Buxus sirindhorniana sp. nov. (Buxaceae), a bicarpellate species from Thailand

A new bicarpellate Buxus species, Buxus sirindhorniana W. K. Soh, M. von Sternburg, Hodk. & J. Parn., is described from northern Thailand. This is the first reported bicarpellate species of Buxus. The pollen morphology and the degree of pollen viability of the species are reported. DNA was extracted from herbarium samples and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequenced. The palynological evidence and the phylogenetic reconstruction support the contention that this new species belongs to the genus Buxus. The morphological diversity of reproductive organs in the Buxaceae, in relation to this new species, is briefly discussed.     

Some new and little known phytoplankton forms from the West Indian Ocean

New records of Pterosperma spp., Pachysphaera spp. and Meringosphaera spp. are made from light microscope studies of cleared millipore filter disc samples from the West Indian Ocean. One new species and one new form of the genus Pterosperma are described from these samples. An occurrence of the newly described species, Pterosperma parvareopunctatum, is also recorded from the gut contents of an ostracod from a deep haul in the East Atlantic Ocean.     

Isolation of microsatellite loci and cross‐species amplifications in three gobiid fish of the genus Pomatoschistus

Gobiids of the genus Pomatoschistus are increasingly being investigated as models for adaptation to coastal environments and for mating system studies. Among the dozen currently analysed species, microsatellite primers have been characterized only for Pomatoschistus minutus. This paper describes seven new polymorphic loci isolated from Pomatoschistus marmoratus and Pomatoschistus microps, two species that hybridize. Cross‐species amplification was tested for these new loci, together with seven already published P. minutus loci. Systematic amplification of samples of each of the three species provided a first indication of their polymorphism.     

喀斯特典型地区烟管荚蒾AM真菌多样性研究

烟管荚蒾是喀斯特地区灌木丛的主要组成植物。以茂兰喀斯特森林为采样地点,对烟管荚蒾AM真菌进行了分离、鉴定与多样性分析,并对优势菌种进行初步的接种研究。结果表明:烟管荚蒾根系的菌根侵染率为82.1%,从根际土壤分离到AM真菌2属16种,球囊霉属(Glomus)7种,无梗囊霉属(Acaulospora)9种。优势种为根内球囊霉(Glomus intraradices)、皱壁无梗囊霉(Acaulospora rugosa)和刺无梗囊霉(A. spinosa)。优势菌种接种紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa),促生作用明显,并显著提高了SOD、POD和CAT酶活性。该研究对于探讨喀斯特地区AM真菌的多样性与独特性,筛选优良的宿主植物和与之高效共生的AM真菌具重要意义。     

The biodiversity and biogeography of the free-living nematode genera Desmodora and Desmodorella (family Desmodoridae) at both sides of the Scotia Arc

Samples taken at two stations in the northern and southern parts of the Scotia Arc, at depths of 277 and 307 m, respectively, were analysed for metazoan meiofauna with special attention to the nematodes. Identification to species level was performed for two closely related subdominant nematode genera (Desmodora and Desmodorella) in samples from the two Scotia Arc stations and in other available samples from adjacent areas (Magellan Region, Drake Passage, Weddell Sea). Seven Desmodora species and three Desmodorella species were found, of which, respectively five and two species are new to science. The Scotia Arc stations show relatively high densities and average diversity on meiofauna and nematode level compared to adjacent areas. The distribution patterns of the various Desmodora and Desmodorella species suggest the Scotia Arc as a shallow bridge and a possible exchange route for meiofauna between the Antarctic and South America, especially since these species seem to be constrained by water depth.     

Neglected refugia of biodiversity: mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield two novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes)

Phylogenetic relationships amongst the southern African freshwater crab fauna are reinvestigated following the recent collection of morphologically distinct Potamonautes specimens from remote mountainous regions in Malawi and Mozambique. Specimens were subjected to DNA sequencing of three mtDNA loci, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA and compared to the 14 described species from the region. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference revealed the presence of two novel evolutionary lineages. The phylogeny demonstrates that Potamonautes obesus (A. Milne‐Edwards, 1868) is sister to a morphologically distinct novel species from Mount Namuli in Mozambique. Two sympatric and genetically distinct species from Mount Mulanje, in Malawi (forms A and B) were recognized. Form B is sister to the large‐bodied South African riverine freshwater crabs and represents a novel lineage whereas the remaining species (form A) from Mulanje, in Malawi was sister to samples from Mounts Inago and Mabu, and in Mozambique was identified as Potamonautes choloensis (Chace, 1953). The two novel evolutionary lineages were genetically distinct and morphologically different from the described species in each of the respective regions. Two new freshwater crab species Potamonautes namuliensis sp. nov. and Potamonautes mulanjeensis sp. nov. , are described in the present study. The samples from Mount Mulanje in Malawi, and Mounts Mabu and Inago in Mozambique represent new distribution records for Potamonautes choloensis. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164 , 498–509.     

Comparison of Cocconeis pseudonotata sp. nov. with two closely related species,C. notata and C. diruptoides,from Posidonia oceanica leaves

Three Cocconeis Ehrenberg species, epiphytic on the leaves of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, were studied by light and electron microscopy. A new species, C. pseudonotata, is described which is closely related to C. notata Petit and C. diruptoides Hustedt. Gross morphology and the presence of a sigmoid raphe and sternum are the characters shared by the three species, whereas the central areas of sternum and raphe-sternum valves, and the stria and areola densities are the main distinctive characters for the species when observed by light microscopy. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations revealed that the fine structure of areolae must be also considered in order to identify the species. Comparison among the three species has been carried out by observations on material from our samples, as well as on the type material of C. diruptoides and cleaned samples from the Hustedt collection. The study also provides new information on the geographical distribution of these species.     

Incidence of dermatophytes and cyclohexamide resistantfungi on healthy children hairs and nails in nurseries

In order to estimate the prevalence of dermatophytes and other fungi on healthy children hairs and nails, 92 hair samples and 85 nail samples (groups of 10 finger nails from each child) were collected from 5 nurseries (children aged 9 months up to 4 years) in Assiut city. From hair samples 22 species were collected, Trichophyton (2 species) and Microsporum (2 species) were the only recovered dermatophytes in addition to well known keratinophilic genus Chrysosporium (4 species). From nail samples, 18 species were identified, Trichophyton was represented by 4 species, Microsporum, 2 species and Chrysosporium, 4 species. Also, several other saprophytes and cycloheximide resistant fungi were isolated. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Penicillium caerulescens,sp. nov. isolated from soil

One new species of Penicillium Link ex Gray nom. cons. prop. is described and illustrated. This species has been recovered from samples of sandy soil under pine trees. It differs from all species of the Genus described so far and is, therefore, considered and proposed as new taxon: Penicillium caerulescens n. sp.     

湖南张家界国家森林公园土壤中的暗色丝孢菌

自湖南张家界国家森林公园采集的15份土样中,分离获得32个暗色丝孢菌分离物,经鉴定分别属于15属中的19个种。其中,湖南小带孢Taeniolella hunanensis为一新种,昏暗色串孢Torula caligans和小孢维郎那霉Veronaea parvispora为中国新记录种。对其它16个中国已报道种亦作了分离生境的引证。研究过的标本(干制培养物)与活菌种存放在山东农业大学植物病理学标本室(HSAUP)。     

Description of Echthrogaleus spinulus n. sp. (Copepoda: Pandaridae) parasitic on a torpedo ray from the central Pacific Ocean utilising a morphological and molecular approach

A new species of parasitic copepod, Echthrogaleus spinulus n. sp. (Pandaridae), is described from the torpedo ray Tetronarce tokionis (Tanaka) (Torpedinidae) captured in pelagic Hawaiian waters. The new species has pediger 4 bearing large dorsal plates with denticles on posterior margin, genital complex with posterolateral lobes widely curved medially and overlapping, leg 4 exopod incompletely 3-segmented, and the largest body size (maximum length 16 mm from anterior rim of frontal plates to tip of caudal rami, excluding setae). This morphology does not match any of the seven valid species of Echthrogaleus Steenstrup & Lütken, 1861. Analysis of 28S rDNA sequences separated the new material from the Central Pacific from samples of E. coleoptratus in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans. However, due to the lack of DNA sequences in the databases, the new 28S rDNA sequence cannot used to confirm the species identity. The unique morphological characteristics of the Central Pacific female copepods combined with 28S rDNA sequencing was used as a basis to validate the new species.

     

TWO NEW SPECIES OF PSEUDOKEPHYRION (CHRYSOPHYCEAE) IN THE PLANKTON OF A LAKE1

Two new species of Pseudokephyrion are described from Little Aurora Lake, Ontario, Canada. The distribution of both P. taeniatum sp. nov. and P. auroreum sp. nov. is restricted, for reasons which are not clear; neither species was found in samples from lakes adjacent to Little Aurora Lake. All lakes in the vicinity are very dilute, oligotrophic and acidic.     

Identification of black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons) in Tibet, China, by cytochrome b analysis

Full cytochrome b gene sequence of mtDNA was used to identify and analyze four skin samples collected from Tibet, China in this research. By searching for highly similar sequences (megablast) on NCBI, we found all four samples have the highest similarities with the published sequence: AY239042 of the black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons). By comparing our sequences to those available on GenBank, all four samples were identified as the black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons) by high sequence similarity. We therefore record two new localities for the black muntjac and it is a new distribution in Tibet and hope this study will not only promote more advanced researches on the evolution and phylogeny about this species, but also enhance the conservation work for this species and local biodiversity.     

Molecular characterization of a new badnavirus associated with streak symptoms on enset (Ensete ventricosum,Musaceae)

Electron microscopy of leaf samples displaying streak symptoms from enset (Ensete ventricosum), a banana‐like plant widely cultivated in Ethiopia, showed the presence of bacilliform shaped virions as known for badnaviruses. DNA extracts subjected to rolling circle amplification (RCA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloning and sequence analysis revealed that the virus has a circular double‐stranded DNA genome of 7,163 nucleotides encoding predicted proteins of 21.5 kDa, 14.5 kDa and 202.5 kDa, a genome organization known for badnaviruses. The virus is phylogenetically most closely related to Sugarcane bacilliform Guadeloupe D virus with a nucleotide sequence identity of 77.2% at the conserved RT/RNase‐H region and 73.6% for the whole genome. Following the current species demarcation criteria, the virus should be considered as an isolate of a new species in the genus Badnavirus for which the name Enset leaf streak virus (ELSV) is suggested. Leaf samples from enset and banana were screened using virus‐specific primers, and ELSV was detected in six of 40 enset but not found in any of 61 banana samples. On the other hand, Banana streak OL virus (BSOLV) was detected from the majority (60%) of symptomatic banana samples but not from enset samples. This paper reports the first full‐genome sequence of a putative new badnavirus species infecting plants in the genus Ensete. In addition, this is the first report of the occurrence of BSOLV in Ethiopia.     

Free-living nematodes of the Tra Ly River in the Red River mouth,Vietnam

In samples of the Tra Ly River in the Red River mouth (Northern Vietnam), 46 species of free-living nematodes have been found, five of which are new to science. The species dominant in abundance were Ptycholaimellus adocius Dashchenko et Belogurov, 1984; Dichrocuadora affinis Gagarin et Nguyen Vu Thanh, 2011; and Tripyloides minor sp.n. The species composition of nematodes is listed and the new species Tripyloides minor sp. n. is described and illustrated. The nematode described and illustrated by Riemann (1970) from watercourses of Colombia as Tripyloides amazonicus (Gerlach, 1957) is recognized as a valid species (Tripyloides riemanni nom.n).     

New data and new species of Microcoryphia and Zygentoma (Insecta) from Israel

The presented contribution concerns the study of several samples of Microcoryphia and of Zygentoma obtained in Israel; an up to date of the species of these insect Orders reported from Palestine is also presented. Genus Hyperlepisma (Lepismatidae: Ctenolepismatinae) is reported for the first time from the country and one new species H. palaestinensis n. sp., is described from the northern Negev. Another new species this one of the genus Lepidospora s. s. (Nicoletiidae: Coletiniinae), L. (L.) ayyalonica n. sp., is described from the Ayyalon Cave in Western Central Israel, from where several other terrestrial and aquatic endemic arthropods were already known.