History and current taxonomic status of genus Agrobacterium

The genus Agrobacterium was created a century ago by Conn who included it in the family Rhizobiaceae together with the genus Rhizobium. Initially, the genus Agrobacterium contained the non-pathogenic species Agrobacterium radiobacter and the plant pathogenic species Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes. At the end of the past century two new pathogenic species, Agrobacterium rubi and Agrobacterium vitis, were added to the genus. Already in the present century these species plus Agrobacterium larrymoorei were reclassified into genus Rhizobium. This reclassification was controversial and for a time both genus names were used when new species were described. Few years ago, after a taxonomic revision based on genomic data, the old species A. rhizogenes was maintained in the genus Rhizobium, the old species A. vitis was transferred to the genus Allorhizobium and several Rhizobium species were transferred to the genus Agrobacterium, which currently contains 14 species including the old species A. radiobacter, A. tumefaciens, A. rubi and A. larrymoorei. Most of these species are able to produce tumours in different plants, nevertheless the genus Agrobacterium also encompasses non-pathogenic species, one species able to nodulate legumes and one human pathogenic species. Taking into account that the species affiliations to five Agrobacterium genomospecies have not been determined yet, an increase in the number of species within this genus is expected in the near future.     

Création du genre Californiella N.gen. (Rhodophycophyta) et révision du genre DasyporellaStolley, 1893 (Dasycladales)

The genus Dasyporella was created by Stolley in 1893. Later, two different species were assigned to this genus under the same specific name Dasyporella norvegica. One of them was misinterpreted by Johnson & Konishi (1959) which introduced a confusion in the genus definition. The revision of the genus Dasyporella was therefore necessary and the study of new specimens belonging to the misinterpreted species have led to the creation of a new genus: Californiella. This new genus clarifies the concept of Dasyporella with the reinstatement of its original definition.     

Sumatrella chelonica gen. n., sp. n., a new remarkable genus and species from Indonesia,Sumatra (Acari,Uropodina, Oplitidae)

A new genus Sumatrella gen. n. is described and illustrated based on the new species Sumatrella chelonica sp. n. collected in Sumatra, Indonesia. The new genus belongs to the family Oplitidae based on its hypertrichous internal malae and the absence of strongly sclerotized structures on the dorsal shield. The new genus is closely related to the genus Chelonuropoda Sellnick, 1954 but the transverse furrow on ventral idiosoma close to coxae IV and the strongly sclerotized C-shaped dorsal line are missing in the new genus. These characters can be found in species of Chelonuropoda.     

New species and records of Charisius Champion from Mexico and Central America (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae, Alleculinae)

The species of the genus Charisius Champion, from Mexico and Central America are reviewed. The flightless genus Narses Champion, with one included species, N. subalatus Champion, is placed in synonymy with the genus Charisius. Four new species are described and illustrated, C. granulatus and C. punctatus (from Guatemala) and C. apterus and C. howdenorum (from Mexico). Charisius subalatus (Champion) is redescribed and illustrated. The species C. interstitialis Champion is placed in synonymy with C. zunilensis Champion. The genus is redescribed to include the four new species and N. subalatus. New distributional records are presented for all other species of the genus and a revised key is presented for identification of all the species of the genus.     

Phylogenetic relationship among East Asian species of the Stegana genus group (Diptera,Drosophilidae)

The phylogenetic relationship among 27 East Asian species of the Stegana genus group was reconstructed using DNA sequences of mitochondrial (COI and ND2) and nuclear (28S) genes. The results lent support to the current generic/subgeneric taxonomic classification in the genus group with the exceptions of the paraphyly of the genus Parastegana and the subgenus Oxyphortica in the genus Stegana. The ancestral areas and divergence times in the genus group were reconstructed/estimated, and accordingly, the biogeographical history of this important clade was discussed. It was proposed that, the evolution of the plant family Fagaceae, especially Quercus, may have played a certain role in facilitating the diversification of the Stegana genus group.     

Molecular phylogeny of baculiform desmid taxa (Zygnematophyceae)

The baculiform, rod-like morphotypes belong to several phylogenetic lineages within Desmidiaceae (Zygnematophyceae, Viridiplantae). Some, for example the genus Pleurotaenium, form independent lineages, but reductive evolution of complicated desmid cells toward baculiform morphology also occurred in individual lineages, for example Micrasterias. In this genus, the rod like Triploceras forms evolved from more complex ancestors. In this study, we tested for an independent position of the subtropical and tropical genus Triplastrum, previously separated from Triploceras on the basis of morphological data. In addition, monophyly of Pleurotaenium was also investigated with multiple isolates corresponding to seven species of this genus, including the morphologically dissimilar P. nodosum and P. ovatum. Finally, two isolates of Docidium baculum were also investigated. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of concatenated rbcL?+?coxIII sequence data implied that the baculiform taxa investigated were in three distantly related positions within Desmidiaceae. The genus Triplastrum proved to be unrelated to Triploceras, because it clustered in the “omniradiate” lineage of Desmidiaceae among morphologically dissimilar taxa. The genus Pleurotaenium was monophyletic, but P. ovatum was recovered in a weakly supported sister position to all the other members of the genus. The trnG^ucc phylogeny of Pleurotaenium taxa concurred with the rbcL?+?coxIII phylogram, and generally revealed the poor morphological concepts of some species in this genus. The most common taxa P. ehrenbergii and P. trabecula were resolved as polyphyletic because their strains were distributed among several strongly supported clades. However, strains of P. nodosum and P. archeri formed separate, well supported lineages within the genus.     

Révision taxonomique du genre d'ammonite téthysien Simoceras et création d'un nouveau genre Volanoceras (Ammonitina,Simoceratidae)

The type-species of the genus SimocerasZittel isS. biruncinatum (Qu.). This genus includes the species-group biruncinatum (Qu.) — admirandum (Zitt.). The new genus Volanoceras is created for the volanense (Opp.) species-group which is excluded from the genus Simoceras.     

Physiologische und biochemische Beiträge zur Taxonomie der Gattungen Ankistrodesmus und Scenedesmus

The base composition of the DNA was found to be a species-specific, taxonomically valuable character also in the genera Ankistrodesmus (21 strains) and Scenedesmus (27 strains). As compared to the genus Chlorella, however, the differences between different species are considerably smaller. The GC content is between 63 and 70% in the genus Ankistrodesmus, and between 52 and 62% in the genus Scenedesmus. Obviously, a few strains with a very much different base composition do not belong to the genus Ankistrodesmus.     

The characterization of complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic relationship within Rattus genus (Rodentia: Muridae)

The genus Rattus is one of the main pest genus of rodent. Most species of the genus carry all kinds of pathogenic bacteria to human being. They are traditionally considered to be a least understood group. The complete mitochondrial genome of the White-Footed Indochinese Rat, Rattus nitidus was determined in this study. The characterization of mitochondrial genomes of Rattus genus was also analyzed based on comprehensive comparison. The result of evolutionary patterns of protein-coding genes (PCGs) suggested purifying selection was the predominant evolutionary forces in the mitochondrial genomes of Rattus genus. The NADH dehydrogenase 4 gene (ND4) showed a highly elevated Ka/Ks ratio compared to the other protein-coding genes, which indicated ND4 was most likely under relaxed selection pressure. Phylogenetic analysis provided a well-supported outline of Rattus genus, and revealed two groups in the genus. R. nitidus had a sister relationship with R. norvegicus.     

Cetradonia,a new genus in the new family Cetradoniaceae (Lecanorales,Ascomycota)

Abstract:A taxonomic revision of the lichen genus Gymnoderma Nyl. sensu Yoshimura & Sharp (Cladoniaceae) based on an integrative analysis of polyphasic characters supports the segregation of a new genusCetradonia J.-C.Wei & Ahti in a new family Cetradoniaceae J.-C.Wei & Ahti. The monotypic genus and family are based on Cladonia linearis Evans. In addition, two species are recognized in genus Neophyllis F. Wilson and two species are retained in the genus Gymnoderma Nyl. of the Cladoniaceae.     

Bathycamptus eckmani gen. et spec. nov. (Copepoda,Harpacticoida) with a review of the taxonomic status of certain other deepwater harpacticoids

Bathycamptus eckmani gen. et spec. nov., which is associated with mudballs produced by the. cirratulid Tharyx luticastellus, is described from bathyal muds in San Diego Trough, off California. ?Heteropsyllus minutus Wells from the Haden Ground, Scotland is considered to be its closest relative and is placed in the same genus. The genera Bathycamptus and Psammocamptus Mielke are regarded as sister groups on the basis of the shared sexual dimorphism shown by P3-P4. Relationships with other marine Canthocamptidae are discussed, and a re-evaluation of the genus Hemimesochra Sars is made. It is concluded that this genus should encompass only the type species H. clavularis Sars. ?Leimia dubia Wells and H. nympha Por are transferred to the new genus Boreolimella, which is closely related to Bathycamptus but not to Leimia Willey. The genus Perucamptus gen. nov. is established to include H. rapiens Becker and shows no clear relationship with the other genera. H. trisetosa Coull is assigned to Caroliiaicola gen. nov., which is regarded as being an advanced member of the Paranannopidae. H. secunda Wells is recognised as belonging to Mesopsyllus Por; whilst H. nixe Por is considered the type species of a new genus Pusillargillus.     

Description of Oculogryphus shuensis sp. n. (Coleoptera,Lampyridae), the first species of the genus in the Sino-Japanese realm,with a modified key to the subfamily Ototretinae

A new species of the lampyrid genus Oculogryphus Jeng, Engel, and Yang, O. shuensis sp. n. from China (Sichuan Province) is described and figured. The genus previously was known only from Vietnam, and the new species is the first representative of the genus in the Sino-Japanese zoogeographic realm. Some morphological variations of Oculogryphus and the allied genus Stenocladius are discussed and a modification to the most recent key to ototretine genera is proposed to accommodate Oculogryphus.     

根据叶表皮微形态特征试论新麦草属、芒麦草属和三柄麦属间的系统关系

观察了禾本科新麦草属、芒麦草属和三柄麦属主要代表种的叶片表皮形态学特征,总结了三属植物叶表皮结构的异同,探讨了叶表皮特征的分类学意义。同时,根据三属植物叶表皮性状的演化趋势,分析了各属的演化关系和系统位置。结果表明,新麦草属最原始,芒麦草属较进化,三柄麦属最高级;新麦草属可能直接派生了较进化的芒麦草属,并在芒麦草属的基础上进而产生了最高级的三柄麦属。三柄麦属、芒麦草属和新麦草属的这一系统关系同它们外部形态上三联小穗的演化趋势是相互印证的。     

A new genus of soft coral (Cnidaria,Octocorallia) from the Republic of Congo (Pointe-Noire Region)

A new genus of soft coral from the Republic of Congo is described, Complexum gen. n. Nine West African octocoral species previously described in the genus Alcyonium by Tixier-Durivault (1955) are referred to this new genus, and a new species is described and figured, Complexum pusillum sp. n. The new species is characterized by having encrusting growth form and abundant spiny clubs in the surface of the polyparium. It colonizes shallow calcareous rocky banks (5 to 20 m depth) existing in coastal water of the region of Pointe-Noire. Based on molecular phylogeny this new genus is well separated from Alcyonium species.     

Synopsis of the Argentinian scarab genus Pseudogeniates Ohaus (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae)

The scarab beetle genus Pseudogeniates Ohaus (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini) is endemic to Argentina. The genus includes three species: Pseudogeniates cordobaensis Soula, Pseudogeniates intermedius Ohaus, and Pseudogeniates richterianus Ohaus. We characterize the genus, provide a key to species, redescribe and diagnose each species, provide spatial and temporal distributions, and discuss distributions of the species in relation to eco-regions and areas of endemism in Argentina.     

A Contribution to our Knowledge of the Mermithidae (Nematoda)

The genera of the insect parasitic nematode family Mermithidae axe reviewed, and 16 of them axe redescribed and illustrated. Information is given on methods of rearing adult mermithid specimens and on host specificity. The four types of merrnithid life cycles axe described in detail. One figure shows the variety of insects parasitized by merrnithids and the location and size of the nematode within the insect. Several mermithid eggs are illustrated, and their usefulness in identification is discussed.Taxonomically, the primary emphasis is on the adult stages of the merrnithJds with larval and egg characteristics supplementaxy. An emended family diagnosis is given. Merrnis subnigrescens is considered a synonym of M. nigrescens, and M. tahitiensis is synonymized with M. mirabilis. Hydromermis contorta is accepted, leaving the genus Paramermis in an uncertain position. Study of the Steiner collections of Limnornermis bathybia indicates that Limnornerrnis is accepted as a valid genus. The adults of Agamermis decaudata are descried and illustrated for the first time. The genus Gastromermis is limited to the long single-spiculed forms, as it is now apparent that five or more genera have ventrally shifted mouth orifices. Amphirnermis tinyi n. sp. is described from damselflies from Louisiana. The genus Lanceimermis is accepted, and three species in this genus are illustrated. The taxon Reesimermis nielseni has been accepted for this important parasite of more than 20 mosquito species. This nematode previously has been referred to as Romanomermis sp. Romanomermis iyengari is transferred to the genus Reesirnermis. Diximermis peterseni n. gen., n. sp., from anopheline mosquitoes, is described and iUustrated. The adults of Agamomermis culicis which parasitize Aedes sollicitans, are described for the first time, and the species placed in a new genus, Perutilimermis. The new genus Neornesornermis is proposed for Mesomermis flumenalis Welch, 1962. Several problems on mermithid morphology and taxonomy are discussed. Type material is established for some of the taxa.