Three new intestinal protozoan species of the genus Latteuria n.g. (Ciliophora: Trichostomatia) from Asian and African elephants

Three new ciliate species presumably belonging to the family Paraisotrichidae were recognized in the fecal samples from zoo-kept Asian and African elephants. All the ciliates possess a unique but similar arrangement of somatic ciliature, thus a new genus Latteuria n.g. has been created for them. The genus is characterized by the presence of a tapered frontal ‘spout’ at the anterior end of the body, posterior ciliary rows in narrow grooves encircling the posterior half of the body and an anterior arch of cilia. Latteuria polyfaria n.sp. is the largest species in the genus with 9–11 posterior ciliary rows. In L. media n.sp., of medium body size, the number of rows varies from four to six, and the smallest species, L. trifaria n.sp., has only three-four posterior ciliary rows.     

Ultrastructural description of the life cycle of Nosema monorchis n. sp. (Microspora, Nosematidae), hyperparasite of Monorchis parvus (Digenea, Monorchiidae), intestinal parasite of Diplodus annularis (Pisces, Teleostei)

Life cycle stages of a new species of the genus Nosema Naegeli, 1857 (Microspora, Nosematidae), were examined by light and electron microscopy. It parasitizes the gut and the uterus of the digenean Monorchis parvus (Monorchiidae), in Diplodus annularis (Pisces, Teleostei). All stages were in close contact with the cytoplasm of the host cell and were probably all diplokaryotic. The divisions of meronts and sporonts were recognizable by the formation of spindle plaques at the surface of the nucleus. Spores were oval, measured 3.2±0.3×2.5±0.2 μm on ultrathin sections, and had a polar filament with 16–17 coils. The polaroplast presented two parts: an anterior region with closely packed lamellae and a posterior part with wider lamellae. This Nosema species is compared with the other microsporidian parasites of digeneans. This new species is named Nosema monorchis n. sp., after the generic name of its host.     

Questa (Annelida, Polychaeta, Orbiniidae) from Pacific regions — new species and reassessment of the genus Periquesta

On the basis of new material from various Pacific regions we critically evaluate the characters for the taxonomy of the genus Questa and the former Questidae, a taxon now concluded to be a lineage within the family Orbiniidae. Two new species, Questa retrospermatica sp. n. from Hawaii (with similar forms also from New Caledonia and China), and Questa fijiensis sp. n. from Fiji, are described, and the morphological character patterns and phylogeny of the genus are revisited on the basis of a cladistic analysis. The finding of Hawaiian material of a new species, Levinsenia hawaiiensis sp. n., similar to Periquesta canariensis Brito & Nunez, 2002 (=Levinsenia canariensis comb. n.), challenges the view that Periquesta Brito & Nunez, 2002 is closely related to Questa; rather, it belongs to Paraonidae as a junior synonym of Levinsenia Mesnil, 1897.     

Molecular phylogenetic studies show Omphalina giovanellae represents a new section of Clitopilus (Agaricomycetes)

After reconsidering the specific characters of Omphalia giovanellae and applying data from the sequences of the D1–D2 domain of the 28S rRNA gene and the ITS region of material collected in Italy and Spain, the species is ascribed to the genus Clitopilus. Considering the rather peculiar characters, especially the smooth spores, C. giovanellae is ascribed to the new section Omphaloidei sect. nov. The species is illustrated with drawings of fresh basidiomata observed in situ, as well as with SEM micrographs of the spores. Also based on DNA sequence data, O. farinolens, recently described from Spain, is shown to be a synonym of C. giovanellae.     

Paralygodium meckertii sp. nov. (Schizaeaceae) from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

More than 50 specimens of permineralized fertile pinnules with abaxially borne sporangia have been discovered in calcareous marine nodules from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) Comox Formation from the Eden Main localities on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Isolated pinnules 1.6–3.0 mm wide × 1.6–2.8 mm long are lobed and abaxially enrolled to form irregular globose structures. Pyriform sporangia 216–300 μm wide × 360–468 μm long occur in two rows on the abaxial surface of pinnule lobes. Sporangia have an apical annulus of 15–18 cells. Spores are tetrahedral and trilete, 33–42 μm in diameter, with straight to concave interradial sides, laesurae extending nearly to the equator, and a psilate exine. Spores are assignable to the sporae dispersae genus Deltoidospora. Fertile pinnules are compared to fossils of Anemia poolensis and two previously described species of Paralygodium, and show closest similarities to P. vancouverensis from the Eocene of British Columbia. The Cretaceous Eden Main specimens differ in number of pinnule lobes and their morphology and are described as a new taxon: P. meckertii sp. nov. This discovery extends the Cretaceous geographic range of Paralygodium from Japan to North America and adds to our knowledge of the diversity of extinct schizaeaceous ferns.     

Spirotrichonymphea (Parabasalia) symbionts of the termite Paraneotermes simplicicornis

The desert dampwood termite Paraneotermes simplicicornis harbors several species of obligately symbiotic protists that support its nutrition by fermenting lignocellulose. Among them are three morphotypes with the dexiotropic spiraling flagellar bands characteristic of Spirotrichonymphea (Parabasalia). The largest morphotype, characterized by an elongated cell apex with axial columella and internally positioned spiraling flagellar bands, was previously described as Spirotrichonympha polygyra. A smaller morphotype, with similarly internalized flagellar bands but a more rounded posterior without a protruding axostyle, was previously reported but not named. The smallest morphotype has surface flagellar bands and can attach to other protist cells by its apex. In this study, we combine light microscopy of live specimens and 18S rRNA gene sequencing of individually isolated cells to better understand the diversity of symbionts in P. simplicicornis. We found that S. polygyra branches distantly from true Spirotrichonympha, which are associated with Reticulitermes termites. Thus, we propose the new genus Cuppa to accommodate C. polygyra n. comb. (type species) and the similar but smaller morphotype Cuppa taenia n. sp. The undescribed smallest morphotype can be excluded from all previously described Spirotrichonymphea genera by molecular and behavioral evidence, so we propose Fraterculus simplicicornis n. gen., n. sp., to accommodate this organism.     

Loss of Symbiodinium from bleached soft corals Sarcophyton ehrenbergi, Sinularia sp. and Xenia sp.

The deleterious effects of temperature-induced coral bleaching, a process by which corals lose their endosymbiotic algae (zooxanthellae; genus Symbiodinium) primarily at temperatures above mean yearly maximums, has not been well described for alcyonacean soft corals (Coelenterata, Octocorallia). The study of Symbiodinium cells lost from Sarcophyton ehrenbergi, Sinularia sp., and Xenia sp., which have not been compared in bleaching studies, indicate that the soft coral S. ehrenbergi released the greatest number of symbiont cells, however, it was less susceptible to heat stress surviving temperatures of 34 °C for >39 h. Sinularia sp. showed intermediate levels of bleaching tolerance to elevated temperatures, surviving prolonged exposures at 32 °C, but dying within 24 h at 34 °C. Xenia sp., however, was the most vulnerable to high heat stress maximally releasing Symbiodinium at temperatures ≤30 °C. This evidence indicates that Xenia sp. is even more susceptible to elevated temperatures than Acropora spp., previously reported to be the most vulnerable coral species to elevated temperature-induced bleaching.

Molecular analysis showed that the more resistant soft coral species (S. ehrenbergi) had the same type of Symbiodinium (clade C) as less resistant soft corals (Xenia sp.). In comparison to scleractinian corals collected from the same region that show similar bleaching resistance to high temperatures (e.g. Porities solida—more robust; Favites complanata—moderate resistance; Acropora hyacinthus—less robust), all scleractinian corals were symbiotic with Symbiodinium from clade C. A. hyacinthus, however, was found to possess multiple symbionts (clades B and C), and this represents a first report of Clade B in any Acropora species.     

Antechiniscus in Australia: Description of Antechiniscus moscali sp. n. and Redescription of Antechiniscus parvisentus (Horning & Schuster, 1983) (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae)

Two species of the genus Antechiniscus have been found in Nothofagus forests in Australia. The new species A. moscali sp. n. is described. The New Zealand species A. parvisentus (Horning & Schuster, 1983) is redescribed from type material and from the new material from Australia. The taxonomic status of the two species within the genus is discussed.     

Biotransformations by Botrytis species

Biotransformations by Botrytis sp. are reviewed. Various substrates and the Botrytis species used for the transformations are included in this review of the literature for the period 1961–1999.     

Molecular Identity of Holomastigotes (Spirotrichonymphea,Parabasalia) with Descriptions of Holomastigotes flavipes n. sp. and Holomastigotes tibialis n. sp.

Holomastigotes is a protist genus (Parabasalia: Spirotrichonymphea) that resides in the hindguts of “lower” termites. It can be distinguished from other parabasalids by spiral flagellar bands that run along the entire length of the cell, an anterior nucleus, a reduced or absent axostyle, the presence of spherical vesicles inside the cells, and the absence of ingested wood particles. Eight species have been described based on their morphology so far, although no molecular data were available prior to this study. We determined the 18S rRNA gene sequences of Holomastigotes from the hindguts of Hodotermopsis sjostedti, Reticulitermes flavipes, Reticulitermes lucifugus, and Reticulitermes tibialis. Phylogenetic analyses placed all sequences in an exclusive and well‐supported clade with the type species, Holomastigotes elongatum from R. lucifugus. However, the phylogenetic position of Holomastigotes within the Spirotrichonymphea was not resolved. We describe two new species, Holomastigotes flavipes n. sp. and Holomastigotes tibialis n. sp., inhabiting the hindguts of R. flavipes and R. tibialis, respectively.     

Taxonomic characterization of two marine peritrichous ciliates, Epicarchesium corlissi n. sp. and Pseudovorticella jiangi n. sp. (Ciliophora: Peritrichia), from northern China

Two new marine peritrich ciliates, Epicarchesium corlissi n. sp. and Pseudovorticella jiangi n. sp., were discovered in mariculture waters on the coast of northern China near Qingdao. Their morphology, infraciliature and silverline system were investigated based on both living and silver-impregnated specimens. E. corlissi is characterized as follows: marine Epicarchesium with dichotomously branched stalk; zooids elongate, approximately 60–70×25–35 μm in vivo; peristomial collar double-folded; macronucleus J-shaped; single, small contractile vacuole ventrally positioned; more than 60 striations between peristome and aboral trochal band, 13–18 from aboral trochal band to scopula; abstomal end of row 1 of infundibular polykinety 3 terminating at same level as rows 2 and 3 of infundibular polykinety 3; rows 2 and 3 of infundibular polykinety 3 much longer than row 1 and converging adstomally with infundibular polykinety 1. The new species P. jiangi is diagnosed as follows: marine Pseudovorticella; zooid inverted bell-shaped, approximately 80×60 μm in vivo and with a broad, flat, thin peristomial collar that measures approximately 90 μm across; pellicle with transparent cortical vesicles; macronucleus J-shaped; number of silverlines between peristome and aboral trochal band 20–24, from aboral trochal band to scopula 9–11; abstomal end of row 1 of infundibular polykinety 3 diverges from the other two rows of this polykinety and ends alongside row 3 of infundibular polykinety 2.     

Phylogenetic and biosystematic relationships in four highly disjunct polyploid complexes in the subgenera Ceterach and Phyllitis in Asplenium (Aspleniaceae)

Phylogenetic studies using DNA sequences of two chloroplast regions, rbcL and trnL-F, demonstrate that the proposed genus Ceterach is a small clade within the large genus Asplenium, and sister to the Phyllitis clade. The Ceterach clade is characterised by irregular anastomosing veins and often densely scaled leaf blades. Its taxonomic status as a group nested within Asplenium is confirmed, and it is accepted here as a subgenus with seven species. The Ceterach clade comprises four lineages that correspond to disjunct polyploid complexes: the A. aureum clade forming a polyploid complex (4×, 6×, 8×) in Macaronesia, the A. ceterach clade forming a polyploid complex (2×, 4×, 6×) in the Mediterranean Basin, the A. paucivenosum clade (4×, 6×) in central Asia, and the A. dalhousiae clade (2×) with a disjunct distribution in the Himalaya, Yemen and Eritrea, and southwestern North America. Asplenium paucivenosum is sister to all other members of the Ceterach clade, whereas A. dalhousiae is sister to the A. aureum clade that includes tetraploid A. aureum, hexaploid A. lolegnamense, and octoploid A. parvifolium. Asplenium ceterach and its variations – including the hexaploid A. ceterach subsp. mediterraneum subsp. nov. first described below – form a monophyletic unit, sister to a clade consisting of A. aureum and A. dalhousiae. Asplenium cordatum from Africa and A. haugthonii from the isolated atlantic island of St. Helena are not members of the Ceterach clade, which suggests that leaf blades with dense indumenta have evolved at least twice within asplenioid ferns. The allotetraploid species A. hybridum has the chloroplast DNA from A. ceterach, and therefore the latter species is the maternal ancestor of the former. The other parent of this hybrid species is A. sagittatum that is nested within the sister clade of Ceterach, the Phyllitis clade comprising A. sagittatum and A. scolopendrium. The findings suggest that the current distribution of Ceterach is either the result of long-distance dispersal or represents fragmented relicts of a previously more widely distributed species.     

Deinococcus misasensis and Deinococcus roseus, novel members of the genus Deinococcus, isolated from a radioactive site in Japan

Two gamma- and UV-radiation resistant, Gram-positive, red- or pink-pigmented, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, oxidase- and catalase-positive bacterial strains, TDMA-25^T and TDMA-uv51^T, were isolated from fresh water collected at Misasa, a radioactive site in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed both in a distinct lineage in the family Deinococcaceae, and the highest degrees of sequence similarity determined belonged to Deinococcus maricopensis LB-34^T (88.8–89.3%), Deinococcus pimensis KR-235^T (86.4–86.7%) and Deinococcus yavapaiensis KR-236^T (86.1%). The DNA G+C content of the strains was 53–58 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-8. The predominant fatty acids were C_15:0 iso, C_16:0 iso, C_13:0 iso, C_17:0 iso, C_16:0, C_13:0 anteiso, C_15:0 and C_12:0 iso. The strains degraded gelatin, casein, starch and Tween 80. Unique physiological characteristics, differences in their fatty acid profiles, and genotypic and phylogenetic features, differentiated strains TDMA-25^T and TDMA-uv51^T from closely related Deinococcus species. Hence, the two strains are described as novel species of the genus Deinococcus. The names Deinococcus misasensis sp. nov. (type strain TDMA-25^T=JCM 14369=NBRC 102116=CCUG 53610) and Deinococcus roseus sp. nov. (type strain TDMA-uv51^T=JCM 14370=NBRC 102117=CCUG 53611) are proposed.     

leaf cuticular alkanes of cultivated Polyscias

Leaf cuticular alkane analysis of 34 cultivars of Polyscias generally supported morphological classifications of this genus, but variability within groups such as P. crispatum suggested that alkane data by itself is insufficient for classification of the various cultivars into species. Alkanes with 27–33 carbon atoms were present in most species, with C₃₁ predominating.     

New observations on the tontoniid ciliate Spirotontonia grandis (Suzuki and Han, 2000) Agatha, 2004 (Ciliophora, Oligotrichida, Tontoniidae); comparison with the similar Laboea strobila

Spirotontonia grandis (Suzuki and Han, 2000) Agatha, 2004 belongs to the family Tontoniidae Agatha, 2004 because it has a contractile tail. It is the type of the genus Spirotontonia Agatha, 2004, which is characterized by a sinistrally spiralled girdle kinety. Supplementary observations on protargol-impregnated and, especially, live specimens of S. grandis from the Irish Sea are provided. These new findings are included in an improved species diagnosis. Furthermore, they contribute to a better separation of the tontoniid S. grandis from the strombidiid Laboea strobila, which also has a screw-like appearance, a sinistrally spiralled girdle kinety, and multiple macronuclear nodules, but lacks the tontoniid tail. Since the tail of S. grandis, the main distinguishing feature between the two species, is highly contractile and easily lost, further differences are emphasized, e.g., the lower number of girdle kinety whorls (3.0–3.5 vs. 4.5–5.0), the larger cell size (110–170×55–80 μm vs. 80–110×40–60 μm after protargol impregnation), the relatively larger size of the ventral portion of the membranellar zone (51% vs. 40% of body length), and the overlapping cortical platelets (present vs. absent). The record of S. grandis from the Irish Sea is the first record outside the East China Sea and the second worldwide.     

A new species of Liropus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae) from Le Danois bank (southern Bay of Biscay)

A new species of the genus Liropus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae) is described based on specimens collected from Le Danois bank (‘El Cachucho’ fishing grounds), Bay of Biscay. Liropus cachuchoensis n. sp. can be distinguished from all its congeners mainly by the absence of eyes and by the presence of a dorsal projection proximally on pereonites 3, 4 and 5 in males, on 3 and 5 in females. The new species has been found living on muddy bottoms on the southern flank of the bank and adjacent continental slope, between 619 and 1062 m depth, with a maximum abundance (56.1 ind./100 m²) recorded at 1044–1062 m. Morphological comparisons among the world's members of Liropus, a key to species, and data on their distribution are presented.     

Distribution and habitat preferences of species within the genus Elaphoidella Chappuis, 1929 (Crustacea: Copepoda: Harpacticoida) in Slovenia

Twelve species of the harpacticoid genus Elaphoidella, most of them exclusively groundwater species, have been recorded in Slovenia (SE Europe). Their distribution and ecology are reviewed with the aim of evaluating distribution patterns, species preferences for groundwater habitats, ecological preferences and interactions with other copepod species at regional scale. Data on Elaphoidella species were obtained partly from the existing literature and partly from the author's (AB) own sampling campaigns carried out together with his co-workers. During the rich history of collecting copepods in Slovenia (from the 1920s to present), Elaphoidella species were recorded at 78 sampling sites altogether. The majority of collecting was conducted in the southern (Dinaric region) and north-western (Alpine region) Slovenia. The most intensively sampled habitats were porous aquifers of alluvial plains, springs in the karstic unsaturated zone and percolation water in caves. The highest species richness of Elaphoidella was recorded in the southern Slovenia, where 10 species were found. The strictly “Dinaric” species are E. charon, E. franci, E. karstica, E. stammeri, E. sp. 1 and E. sp. 2, while E. phreatica and E. bidens were found exclusively in the north-western Slovenia. From the latest data on the copepod distributions (2002–2004), where the environmental characteristics of sampling sites were also measured, the relationship between selected environmental characteristics of the habitats and the presence of Elaphoidella species was analysed. The distribution of Elaphoidella species in Slovenia was found to be related with the region, habitat type, altitude, conductivity and pH of the water.