Revision and affinities ofGalium (Rubiaceae) in Madagascar

The only representatives ofRubiaceae-Rubieae in Madagascar are five species ofGalium. G. thunbergianum andG. chloroionanthum are essentially afromontane species, ± widely distributed in both the African mainland and Madagascar. The new speciesG. andringitrense andG. ankaratrense are endemic to Madagascar but show close affinities to two afromontane—afroalpine groups from the African mainland, theG. simense—G. ruwenzoriense andG. glaciale complex respectively.G. polyacanthum (new combination) exhibits certain primitive morphological traits and appears to be an old Madagascan endemic without close allies. New chromosome counts for populations from the African mainland demonstrate thatG. chloroionanthum andG. simense are 4x (x=11). Distribution patterns and origins of theGalium species in Madagascar and their relationships with African taxa are discussed.     

MicroRNA loci support conspecificity of Gyrodactylus salaris and Gyrodactylus thymalli (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea)

The monogenean flatworm Gyrodactylus salaris is a serious threat to wild and farmed Atlantic salmon stocks in Norway. Morphologically, the closely related but harmless Gyrodactylus thymalli on grayling can hardly be distinguished from G. salaris. Until now, molecular approaches could not resolve unambiguously whether G. salaris and G. thymalli represent just one polytypic species, two polytypic species or a complex of more than two species. In the first known genome-wide analysis utilizing 37 conserved microRNA loci, the genetic differentiation of seven populations of G. salaris and G. thymalli was assessed. The concatenated alignment spanned 21,742 bp including 62 variable positions. A neighbor-joining cluster analysis did not support any host-based or mitochondrial haplotype-based grouping of strains. We conclude that a two species concept for G. salaris and G. thymalli does not reflect meaningful biological entities. Instead, G. salaris and G. thymalli are just one species comprising several pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains on various primary hosts. Following the International Code for Zoological Nomenclature, G. salaris Malmberg, 1957 is the valid species name with G. thymalli ?itňan, 1960 becoming the junior synonym. Accordingly, the range of G. salaris is significantly increased, given that formerly G. salaris-free countries such as e.g., Great Britain are now within the species’ natural range. The synonymization of G. salaris and G. thymalli implies severe challenges to current disease management routines, which assume that G. salaris and G. thymalli are readily distinguishable. Protocols for reliable identification of pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of G. salaris need to be developed.     

Observations of meiotic chromosomes in Gaura (Onagraceae)

Observations of meiotic chromosomes are reported for all 21 species and 3 additional sub species ofGaura (Onagraceae), based upon a study of 647 individuals from 509 naturally occurring populations throughout the range of the genus. The basic chromosome number for the genus isx = 7, and 18 species are diploid withn = 7. Among these, the self-incompatible ones are often highly chromosomally heterozygous, with no homozygous individuals having been found in nature in the perenrennialsGaura lindheimeri andG. villosa, and two-thirds or more of the individuals apparently heterozygous in the following well-sampled species:G. calcicola, G. longiflora, andG. suffulta subsp.suffulta. In contrast, the autogamous species are entirely chromosomally homozygous or nearly so. Two species ofGaura are reported as chromosomal structural heterozygotes, with about 50% pollen abortion:G. biennis andG. triangulata; the translocation systems originated independently of one another. Two of the three polyploid species,G. sinuata andG. drummondii (G. odorata of many authors), are consistently tetraploid (n = 14) and, despite their cytological autotetraploidy, are thought to have originated following interspecific hybridization. They are the only rhizomatous species in the genus and may have had one ancestor in common. The remaining polyploid,G. coccinea, includes populations withn = 7, 14, 21, and 28, as well as evident interploid hybrids and, frequently, supernumerary chromosomes. The relationship among these populations is close and is maintained by frequent hybridization and exchange of genetic material. No other species seems to have participated in their origin, and the association of their chromosomes is consistently that characteristic of autopolyploidy in plants with tetraploid and higher chromosome numbers.     

Studies in the Genus Gastroboletus

The following species ofGastroboletus are described as new:G. subalpinus, G. xerocomoides, G. suilloides, G. imbellus, andG. amyloideus. All of these species have been found in the western portion of the United States. Comments on two previously known species from this region are included. Brief statements are also presented on the possible origin and evolution of this taxon of fungi     

Molecular identification of the advanced third-stage larvae (ADV L3) of Gnathostoma lamothei in Tabasco,Mexico

Advanced third-stage larvae (ADV L₃) of Gnathostoma spp. were collected from the muscle tissue of three species of freshwater fish (i.e., Gobiomorus dormitor, Petenia splendida, and Parachromis managuensis) in Swamps of Centla, Tabasco, Mexico. Nine sequences of the ITS2 of the ribosomal DNA of Gnathostoma spp. were compared with sequences obtained from GenBank for G. binucleatum, G. lamothei, G. miyazakii, G. spinigerum, and G. turgidum. Sequences of the ADV L₃ from P. splendida (Isla Chinal), P. managuensis (Isla Chinal), and of two of the six larvae collected from G. dormitor (Tres Brazos), were identical to that of G. binucleatum (GenBank). Sequences from the other four larvae from G. dormitor (Tres Brazos) are identical to the sequence of G. lamothei (GenBank). This is the first record of the intermediate host of G. lamothei. The only species documented to cause human gnathostomiasis in the Americas is G. binucleatum. Our finding of G. binucleatum, and G. lamothei parasitizing the commercially important fish species, G. dormitor in Centla swamps, indicates the possibility of G. lamothei causing human gnathostomiasis in Mexico as well.     

Gum exudates from the genus Grevillea (Proteaceae)

Analytical data are presented for gum specimens from Grevillea agrifolia, G. candelabroides, G. robusta, G. striata, and G. wickhamii (two specimens), and brief botanical details of this large, complex genus are given. The gum exudates, which are of high molecular weight, show good solubility and give solutions that are much more viscous than any of the Acacia exudates studied so far; they may therefore be of industrial interest.     

Phylogenetic placement of Geastrum melanocephalum and polyphyly of Geastrum triplex

Geastrum melanocephalum, originally described as Trichaster melanocephalus, is characterized by large basidiomata and an evanescent endoperidium. Although Trichaster was recently treated as a synonym of Geastrum and the specific name G. melanocephalum has often been used, it is still controversial whether Trichaster is an independent genus. Although a close affinity of G. melanocephalum and G. triplex has been suggested based on some morphological similarities, it is highly likely that G. triplex is polyphyletic because of its high morphological variability. To clarify the phylogenetic position of G. melanocephalum, it is therefore critical to evaluate the monophyly of G. triplex. This study sampled ITS, LSU, and atp6 genes from 144 specimens of Geastrales including G. melanocephalum and G. triplex from several continents. Results of phylogenetic analyses demonstrated G. melanocephalum is nested within Geastrum and is most closely related to the European and North American group of G. triplex. Morphological similarities of G. melanocephalum and European and North American G. triplex are also suggested. Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, we confirm Trichaster is a synonym of Geastrum, and the scientific name Geastrum melanocephalum should be accepted. Moreover, the present study revealed that taxa tentatively identified as “G. triplex” are highly polyphyletic, and a taxonomic revision of “G. triplex” is therefore needed.     

An unexpectedly lichenase-stable hexasaccharide from cereal,horsetail and lichen mixed-linkage β-glucans (MLGs): Implications for MLG subunit distribution

Mixed-linkage (1→3),(1→4)-β-d-glucan (MLG) is a biologically and technologically important hemicellulose, known to occur in three widely separated lineages: the Poales (including grasses and cereals), Equisetum (fern-allies), and some lichens e.g. Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica). Lichenase (E.C. 3.2.1.73) is widely assumed to hydrolyse all (1→4) bonds that immediately follow (1→3) bonds in MLG, generating predominantly the tetrasaccharide β-d-Glcp-(1→4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→3)-d-Glc (G4G4G3G; MLG4), the corresponding trisaccharide (G4G3G; MLG3), and sometimes also laminaribiose (G3G; MLG2). The ratio of the oligosaccharides produced characterises each polysaccharide. We report here that digestion of MLG from barley (Hordeum vulgare), Equisetum arvense and C. islandica by Bacillus subtilis lichenase also yields the unexpectedly stable hexasaccharide, β-d-Glcp-(1→3)-β-d-Glcp-(1→4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→3)-d-Glc (G3G4G4G4G3G, i.e. MLG2–MLG4), identified by thin-layer chromatography, gel-permeation chromatography, HPLC (HPAEC), β-glucosidase digestion, ¹H/¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. On HPLC, G3G4G4G4G3G is the major constituent of a peak previously ascribed solely to the nonasaccharide G4G4G4G4G4G4G4G3G. Because it was widely presumed that lichenase would cleave G3G4G4G4G3G to MLG2 + MLG4, our data both redefine the substrate specificity of Bacillus lichenase and show previous attempts to characterise MLGs by HPLC of lichenase-digests to be flawed. MLG2 subunits are particularly underestimated; often reported as negligible, they are here shown to be an appreciable constituent of MLGs from all three lineages. We also show that there is no appreciable yield of water-soluble lichenase products with DP > 9; potential identities of products previously labelled DP > 9 are suggested. Finally, this discovery also provides a opportunity to investigate the spatial distribution of subunits along the MLG chain. We show that MLG2 subunits in barley and Cetraria MLG are not randomly distributed, but predominantly found at the non-reducing end of MLG4 subunits.     

Reproductive biology of mixed-species populations of Goodyera (orchidaceae) in northern Michigan

The reproductive biology ofGoodyera oblongifolia, G. repens var.ophioides andG. tesselata is discussed with emphasis on the reproductive isolating mechanisms operating in mixed-species populations. Cytology, phenology and pollination of the above three species were studied. Artificial hybridizations were made of these three species and ofG. pubescens. Results show that within mixed-species populations,G. oblongifolia,G. repens var.ophioides andG. tesselata are not completely isolated reproductively, and hybridization does occur. The deleterious effects of the loss of gametes to interspecific crosses are reduced by seasonal isolation, perennial growth and geitonogamous seed production which is encouraged by self-compatibility and clonal growth. Thus, hybridization in mixed-species populations is apparently kept to levels low enough to allow the species to maintain their identities.     

Biostratigraphy and histories of upper Miocene - Pliocene Globorotalia, South Atlantic and South West Pacific

The upper Miocene-Pliocene histories of the Globorotalia miozea Plexus and G. crassaformis from the S.W. Pacific and a S. Atlantic site are assessed for their biostratigraphic utility in the mid latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. As in the S.W. Pacific, Pliocene descendants of G. conoidea (G. pliozea, G. mons) appear in the S. Atlantic near the level at which the G. inflata lineage diverges (as G. puncticulata sphericomiozea). But there is an incomplete history of the latter at the Atlantic site examined, probably due to its northern position. Unlike S.W. Pacific sequences, S. Atlantic strata record a phyletic connection between G. juanai (= G. cibaoensis of authors) and G. crassaformis. The alignment of events in the plexus between the two regions is poor as judged by other foraminiferal datums (extinction of Globoquadrina dehiscens, entries of Globorotalia margaritae and G. crassaformis. As with the G. miozea plexus the records of these taxa probably vary according to latitudinal position.     

A new species of Grillotia Guiart, 1927 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) with redescriptions of congeners and new synonyms

A new species of Grillotia, G. gastrica n. sp., is described from the stomach musculature of the teleosts Upeneichthys lineatus (Bloch & Schneider) and Sillaginodes punctatus (Cuvier) from off Perth, Western Australia. The new species most closely resembles G. pristiophori Beveridge & Campbell, 2001 in having six hooks in each principal row of the metabasal tentacular armature but differs in having a smooth scolex tegument and in having a band of hooklets running the entire length of the external surface of the tentacle rather than diminishing in width to a single hooklet as occurs in G. pristiophori. Grillotia heptanchi (Vaullegeard, 1899) is redescribed and the details of the mature segment are described for the first time. Grillotia adenoplusius (Pintner, 1903) is redescribed from the type-specimens and is considered to be the larval stage of G. acanthoscolex Rees, 1944 (syns G. spinosissima Dollfus, 1969 and G. microthrix Dollfus, 1969). The adult of G. adenoplusius is also redescribed based on the types of G. spinosissima. The type-specimens of G. dolichocephala Guiart, 1935 and G. minor Guiart, 1935 were re-examined and G. minor is considered to be a synonym of G. dolichocephala as is G. meteori Palm & Schröder, 2001. Based on an examination of the type-specimens, G. scolecina (Rudolphi, 1819) is treated as a species inquirenda. A list is provided of the species currently placed in Grillotia.     

Nucleotide sequences of the trpG regions of Escherichia coli,Shigella dysenteriae,Salmonella typhimurium and Serratia marcescens

The nucleotide sequences of Serratia marcescens trpG and the corresponding regions of Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae and Salmonella typhimurium trpD have been determined. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence divergence suggests the following evolutionary relationships: Serratia-[Salmonella, (Escherichia, Shigella)]. Partial reconstruction of ancestral nucleotide sequences and subsequent analysis of nucleotide substitutions show that the majority of nucleotide substitutions in the evolution of trp(G)D are transitions that result in a reduction of G + C content. Since most of the nucleotide substitutions are in the third position of codons, bias in synonymous codon usage also reflects G + C content. The trpE-trp(G)D junction in the four organisms is characterized by overlapping translation termination and initiation codons. The relative positions of trpE and trp(G)D thus became fixed in evolution before the fusion of trpG and trpD. Nucleotide sequences representing the fusion of trpG and trpD in Escherichia, Shigella and Salmonella are not more nor less divergent than other portions of the trp(G)D coding sequences.     

Planktonic foraminifera of the northern Indian Ocean: Distribution and preservation in surface sediments

In the northern Indian Ocean, planktonic foraminiferal tests accumulate in a wide variety of surface-water environments and depositional settings. This variability enables us to isolate the effects that surface-water ecology and differential dissolution have on the distribution of planktonic foraminifera from 251 geographically widespread surface sediment samples.Foraminiferal abundance varies from 0 to > 10⁴ whole foraminifera in the greater than 150 μm fraction per gram dry sediment. Values < 10 characterize the three deep basins of the equatorial Indian Ocean and the western Bay of Bengal. Foraminiferal tests are most abundant on carbonate covered Ninety-East and Carlsberg Ridges. Absolute abundance patterns are mainly controlled by non-ecological processes. Variations in dissolution resistant species (RSP) with water depth reveal that the foraminiferal lysocline (FL) varies regionally. The FL is deepest (3,800 m) in the equatorial region, rises abruptly to 3,300 m in the Arabian Sea, and varies from 2,600 m to near 2,000 m moving northward in the Bay of Bengal. Deep samples with anomalously low RSP (< 30%) suggest redeposition.Systematic geographic and depth-related variation is observed for the 17 most abundant foraminiferal species. Dissolution resistant species (G. menardii, G. tumida, G. dutertrei, P. obliquiloculata) generally exhibit a rapid and continuous increase in relative abundance at and below the FL. Susceptible species (G. ruber, G. bulloides, G. glutinata, for example) exhibit a rapid and continuous decrease in relative abundance at and below the FL. Moderately susceptible species (G. conglobatus, G. aequilateralis, G. conglomerata, for example) rapidly increase in abundance at the FL and systematically decrease with depth below the FL.Principal components analysis (PCA) of faunal data from minimally dissolved (< 30% RSP) samples reveals important ecologically related species intercorrelations. The major biogeographic gradient is the negative covarying relationship between aG. bulloides-G. glutinata species pair and a grouping ofG. sacculifer, G. conglobatus, G. aequilateralis, andG. ruber. PCA of all samples demonstrates how differential dissolution alters this and other species relationships. Species groupings that incorporateG. ruber, G. menardii, andG. dutertrei are particularly affected by dissolution.Comparison of average faunal data from minimally dissolved samples in the northern Indian Ocean with similar samples from other tropical regions suggests varying environmental factors produce distinct faunas within the tropical ocean. For example,G. bulloides, G. falconensis, andG. hexagona are significantly more abundant in northern Indian Ocean surface sediments while such species asG. ruber, G. sacculifer, G. dutertrei, andP. obliquiloculata dominate in other tropical regions.     

Contributions to the fauna and systematics of Stenopelmatoidea (Orthoptera) of Indochina and some other territories: VII

Data on the genera Gryllacris A.-Serv., Aphanogryllacris Karny, and Papuogryllacris Griff. (Stenopelmatidae, Gryllacridinae) from the Indo-Malayan and Papuan Regions are reported. The former genera Gigantogryllacris Karny and Pardogryllacris Karny are tentatively included in the genus Gryllacris as subgenera. Eight new species and three new subspecies are described. Neotype of Gryllacris signifera (Stoll) and lectotypes of G. obscura Br.-W., G. obscura sumatrana Griff., G. javanica (Griff.), G. appendiculata Br.-W., G. fuscifrons Gerst., G. sirambeica battaka (Griff.), G. excelsa Br.-W., G. heros Gerst., and Aphanogryllacris sexpunctata Br.-W. are designated. G. athleta Br.-W., G. adjutrix Br.-W., and, probably, Aphanogryllacris sexpunctata obscuriceps Karny are considered to be distinct species. Some insufficiently known taxa are redescribed, the systematic position of several species and subspecies is clarified, and new distributional data are reported.     

Population studies in Goodyera (Orchidaceae) with emphasis on the hybrid origin of G. Tesselata

Morphological, cytological, and paper Chromatographic studies of populations from northern Michigan and examination of herbarium specimens from throughout North America were used to clarify the relationships ofGoodyera oblongifolia, G. repens var.ophioides, andG. tesselata. A canonical analysis of morphological data from mixed populations of these three species depictsG. tesselata as intermediate betweenG. oblongifolia andG. repens var.ophioides. The latter two species are diploid (2n = 30) andG. tesselata is tetraploid (2n = 60). Triploids (2n = ca. 45) were found in two mixed-species populations in northern Michigan.Goodyera tesselata produces three phenolic compounds present inG. oblongifolia and five different compounds present inG. repens var.ophioides. The range ofG. tesselata is confined to glaciated territory (except for two stations) in northeastern North America where the postglacially produced ranges ofG. oblongifolia andG. repens var.ophioides overlap. However,G. tesselata is quite abundant in areas outside the region of sympatry of the other two species. Based on this evidence, it is postulated thatG. tesselata is an allotetraploid species which resulted from hybridization betweenG. oblongifolia andG. repens var.ophioides during early post-Pleistocene. The slightly earlier blooming season ofG. tesselata may have been selected for to provide a measure of reproductive isolation between the tetraploid and its parents and to adapt the new species to the rather short growing season of northeastern North America.     

Ribosomal DNA Comparisons of Globodera from Two Continents

Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence data were compared for five species of Globodera, including G. rostochiensis, G. pallida, G. virginiae, and two undescribed Globodera isolates from Mexico collected from weed species and maintained on Solanum dulcamara. The rDNA comparisons included both internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2), the 5.8S rRNA gene, and small portions of the 3'' end of the 18S gene and the 5'' end of the 28S gene. Phylogenetic analysis of the rDNA sequence data indicated that the two potato cyst nematodes, G. pallida and especially G. rostochiensis, are closely related to the Mexican isolates, whereas G. virginiae is relatively dissimilar to the others and more distantly related. The data are consistent with the thesis that Mexico is the center of origin for the potato cyst nematodes.     

In-depth characterization of the GOTCAB saponins in seven cultivated Gypsophila L. species (Caryophyllaceae) by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer

Roots of Gypsophila L. (Caryophyllaceae) have been shown to accumulate bidesmosides of triterpenoid carboxylic acids, also called GOTCAB saponins (Glucuronide Oleanane-type Triterpenoid Carboxylic Acid 3, 28-Bidesmosides). The study aimed at in-depth characterization of GOTCABs from root extracts of cultivated Gypsophila scorzonerifolia Ser., G. acutifolia Stev. ex Spreng., G. altissima L., G. pacifica Kom., G. paniculata L., G. oldhamiana Miq. and G. zhegualensis Krasnova using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupol-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). Based on the accurate mass measurements, elemental composition, isotopic peak profiles, fragmentation pattern in tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and literature data, a total of 53 GOTCABs were tentatively identified. In addition, 29 core structures, forming between 2 and 12 isobaric isomers were described. They possess gypsogenin, quillaic and gypsogenic acid as sapogenin, substituted at C-3 with O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[pentosyl-(1 → 3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranoside (β-chain). According to the C-28 ester-bonded oligosaccharide (α-chain) saponins were classified into four groups: GOTCABs with C-28 tetra- and pentasaccharide (type I), GOTCABs with C-28 oligosaccharide substituted with methoxycinnamoyl group (type II), GOTCABs with mono- and diacetylated C-28 oligosaccharide (type III) and GOTCABs with C-28 oligosaccharide substituted with both acetyl and methoxycinamoyl groups (type IV). The possible fragmentation pathways of saponins were proposed. Eleven core structures forming between 2 and 7 isobars are undescribed in the literature. To examine the differences between the assayed Gypsophila species at the same environmental conditions, the variation of saponins was estimated by hierarchical clustering on isobaric fingerprints of GOTCABs. The clustering of the studied species revealed three well-defined clusters. The first cluster comprises G. scorzonerifolia (G1) and G. altissima (G3), characterized by GOTCABs from type III. G. acutifolia (G2) and G. pacifica (G4) formed the second cluster accumulating saponins from types II and III. The third cluster grouped G. paniculata (G5), G. oldhamiana (G6) and G. zhegualensis (G7) sharing GOTCABs from types IV in addition to II and III. This is the first report on the saponins from G. scorzonerifolia and G. zhegualensis. An in-depth depiction of the GOTCAB saponin composition of seven cultivated Gypsophila species was achieved. Therefore, saponins are worth investigating for better understanding of the potential use of Gypsophila roots for pharmaceutical purposes.