<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria abmitu</Emphasis> n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the razor-billed curassow <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mitu tuberosum</Emphasis> Spix (Galliformes: Cracidae)

A new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 from a cracid bird, Mitu tuberosum Spix, held in captivity is described from Brazil. Oöcysts of Eimeria abmitu n. sp. are ovoid, with a smooth, colourless, bilayered wall, measure 24.2 × 15.5 μm and have a length/width ratio of 1.56. The sporulated oöcysts contain two to five polar granules and four ellipsoidal sporocysts measuring 13.6 × 6.4 μm, each with a small crescent-shaped Stieda body, a sub-Stieda body, a loosely granular sporocyst residuum and two comma-shaped sporozoites each with a spherical refractile body.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora bocamontensis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the yellow cardinal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gubernatrix cristata</Emphasis> (Vieillot) (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) in South America

A new coccidian species (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is reported from the endangered yellow cardinal Gubernatrix cristata (Vieillot) in southern Brazil. Isospora bocamontensis n. sp. has oöcysts which are subspheroidal, measure 32.1 × 28.9 μm and have a smooth, bilayered wall c.1.5 μm thick. The micropyle and the oöcyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is sometimes present. Its sporocysts are ellipsoidal and 17.3 × 12.2 μm in size and contain a half-moon-shaped Stieda body, a prominent, homogeneous substieda body; and a sporocyst residuum composed of a compact mass of granules. The sporozoites have one refractile body and a nucleus.     

Three new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora</Emphasis> Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the buffy-fronted seedeater <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sporophila frontalis</Emphasis> Verreaux (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) in South America

Three new coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) species from the buffy-fronted seedeater Sporophila frontalis Verraux in Brazil are reported in the current study. Isospora frontalis n. sp. oöcysts are spherical to sub-spherical, 27.9 × 26.9 μm, with a smooth, bi-layered wall c.1.4 μm thick. A micropyle and an oöcyst residuum are absent, but polar granules are present. Sporocysts are elongate ellipsoidal, 19.6 × 11.1 μm. The Stieda body is knob-like and the substieda body is slight. The sporocyst residuum is composed of scattered granules, and the sporozoites are vermiform with a refractile body and a nucleus. Isospora teresopoliensis n. sp. oöcysts are spherical to sub-spherical, 25.7 × 24.3 μm, with a smooth, bi-layered wall 1.3 μm thick. A micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ovoid, 18.8 × 11.2 μm. The Stieda body is nipple-shaped and the substieda body is large and prominent. The sporocyst residuum is composed of scattered granules, and the sporozoites are large and elongate, with a refractile body and nucleus. Oöcysts of Isospora chanchaoi n. sp. are spherical to sub-spherical or ovoid, 24.2 × 22.0 μm, with a smooth, bi-layered wall c.1.2 μm thick. Both a micropyle and an oöcyst residuum are absent, but one or two polar granules are present. The sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 16.1 × 10.3 μm. The Stieda body is nipple-shaped and the substieda body is small but prominent. The sporocyst residuum forms a compact mass of granules, and the sporozoites are large and elongate, with a refractile body and a nucleus.     

Three new coccidians (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclospora</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria</Emphasis>) from eastern moles, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scalopus aquaticus</Emphasis> (Linnaeus) (Mammalia: Soricomorpha: Talpidae) from Arkansas,USA

Three new species of coccidians (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from eastern moles, Scalopus aquaticus (Linnaeus) from Arkansas. Oöcysts of Cyclospora duszynskii n. sp. are subspheroidal with a smooth bi-layered wall, measure 11.4 × 10.0 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a single polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure 7.2 × 5.4 µm, L/W 1.3; an indistinct Stieda body is present, but the sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent and the sporocyst residuum is composed of medium to large granules of different sizes along the edge of the sporocyst. Oöcysts of Cyclospora yatesi n. sp. are subspheroidal to ovoidal with an ornate outer wall, measure 17.0 × 15.2 µm, L/W 1.1; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a single polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure 9.7 × 7.3 µm, L/W 1.3; an indistinct Stieda body is present, but sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent and the sporocyst residuum is composed of medium to large granules of different sizes along the edge of the sporocyst. Oöcysts of Eimeria paulettefordae n. sp. are ovoidal to ellipsoidal with an ornate outer wall, measure 30.0 × 25.4 µm, L/W 1.2; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a single polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure 12.6 × 9.2 µm, L/W 1.4; a button-like Stieda body is present, but sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies are absent and the sporocyst residuum is composed of medium to large granules of different sizes along the edge of the sporocyst. These are the first coccidians described from Arkansas populations of S. aquaticus. In addition, a summary is provided on the cyclosporans and eimerians from North American talpids.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria maricopensis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Arizona cotton rat <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sigmodon arizonae</Emphasis> Mearns (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in central Arizona,USA

Eimeria maricopensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is described from 2 of 15 (13%) Arizona cotton rats Sigmodon arizonae Mearns in Arizona, USA. Sporulated oöcysts of this new species are ovoidal to ellipsoidal, 20–28 × 16–22 (24.9 × 19.2) µm, with a smooth, bi-layered wall; both micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but fragmented polar granule material is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 11–14 × 6–8 (12.9 × 7.0) µm, with a Stieda body, sub-Stieda body, and sporocyst residuum; sporozoites are elongate with a spheroidal anterior refractile body and a subspheroidal posterior refractile body. In addition, sporulated oöcysts of Eimeria sigmodontis Barnard, Ernst & Dixon, 1974, Eimeria tuskegeensis Barnard, Ernst & Dixon, 1974 and Eimeria webbae Barnard, Ernst & Dixon, 1974 are described from S. arizonae. This is the first report on the coccidia of S. arizonae.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cystoisospora</Emphasis> Frenkel, 1977 (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oecomys mamorae</Emphasis> Thomas (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in the Brazilian Pantanal

Despite the great diversity of coccidians, to our knowledge, no coccidian infections have been described in Oecomys spp. In this context, we examined Oecomys mamorae Thomas (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from the Brazilian Pantanal for infections with enteric coccidia. Nine individuals were sampled, and one was found to be infected. The oöcysts were recovered through centrifugal flotation in sugar solution. Using morphological and morphometric features, we described a new species of Cystoisospora Frenkel, 1977. Sporulated oöcysts were ovoidal 20.0–29.1 × 16.4–23.2 (26.7 × 21.2) µm and contained two sporocysts, 12.9–19.1 × 9.4–13.9 (16.4 × 12.4) µm, each with four banana-shaped sporozoites. Polar granule and oöcyst residuum were both absent. We documented the developmental forms in the small intestine and described the histopathological lesions in the enteric tract. Our results indicate that the prevalence of Cystoisospora mamorae n. sp. in O. mamorae is low, and tissue damage in the enteric tract is mild, even in the presence of coccidian developmental stages.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora lopesi</Emphasis> n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the eastern white-throated spadebill <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platyrinchus mystaceus</Emphasis> Vieillot (Passeriformes: Tyranni: Tyrannidae) in South America

A species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) considered as new to science is described and characterised molecularly from the eastern white-throated spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus Vieillot in the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, southeastern Brazil. Isospora lopesi n. sp. has oöcysts that are subspheroidal to ovoidal, 18–24 × 18–22 (20.6 × 19.7) µm, with smooth, bilayered wall, c.1.5 μm thick. Micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but one polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 12–16 × 8–11 (14.4 × 8.6) µm. The Stieda body is flattened to half-moon-shaped and sub-Stieda body is rounded. Sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of numerous spherules of different sizes. Sporozoites are vermiform with anterior and posterior refractile bodies and nucleus. Molecular analysis was conducted at the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. This new isolate exhibited similarity greater than 98% with Isospora spp. isolates from spectacled warblers Sylvia conspicillata Temminck, 1820. This is the fourth isosporoid coccidian described from New World tyrannid birds, but is the first to have a complementary molecular characterisation.     

Two new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria</Emphasis> Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gerbilliscus guineae</Emphasis> Thomas (Rodentia: Gerbillinae) in the Niokolo Koba National Park,Senegal

We describe two new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 from the gerbiline rodent Gerbilliscus guineae in the Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal. Faecal examination of samples revealed the presence of sporulated oöcysts of two eimerian coccidia, both possessing an oöcyst residuum. Eimeria permira n. sp. is remarkable in terms of oöcyst size and oöcyst wall texture. Sporulated oöcysts are ellipsoidal, 45.8 (42–50) × 32.5 (31–38) μm; the oöcyst wall is 3–4 μm thick, composed of three layers, with the outer layer sheathed by rough granular material; and the sporocysts are broadly ellipsoidal, 15.4 (15–16) × 11 and with a Stieda body present. Oöcysts of Eimeria gerbillisci n. sp. are subspherical, 22.5 (19.5–24) × 18.8 (16.5–20) μm, with a colourless, faintly granulated oöcyst wall 1.5 thick; and the sporocysts are 10.1 (10–12) × 6.7 (6–8), broadly ellipsoidal and often somewhat pointed towards both ends.     

Cytogenetic characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amaranthus caudatus</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amaranthus hybridus</Emphasis> subsp<Emphasis Type="Italic">. cruentus</Emphasis> (L.) Thell.

The present study is aimed to identify genetic variability between two species of Amaranthus viz., A. caudatus and A. hybridus subsp. cruentus, two economically important species, cultivated mainly for grain production. Karyomorphological studies in Amaranthus are scarce, probably due to higher number of small sized chromosomes. Karyomorphological studies were conducted using mitotic squash preparation of young healthy root tips. Karyological parameters and karyotypic formula were established using various software programs and tabulated the karyomorphometric and asymmetry indices viz., Disparity index, Variation coefficient, Total forma percentage, Karyotype asymmetry index, Syi index, Rec index, Interchromosomal and Intrachromosomal asymmetry index and Degree of asymmetry of karyotypes. The mitotic chromosome number observed for A. caudatus was 2n = 32 with a gametic number n = 16 and A. hybridus subsp. cruentus was 2n = 34 with a gametic number n = 17. In A. caudatus the chromosome length during somatic metaphase ranged from 0.8698 to 1.7722 μm with a total length of 39.1412 μm. In A. hybridus subsp. cruentus the length of chromosome ranged from 0.7756 to 1.9421 μm with a total length of 44.9922 μm. Various karyomorphometry and asymmetry indices analyzed revealed the extend of interspecific variation and their evolutionary status.     

Three new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spadicoides</Emphasis> from Lushan Mountain,China

Spadicoides lushanensis sp. nov., S. multiseptata sp. nov. and S. rostrata sp. nov. are described and illustrated from specimens collected on dead branches of unidentified plants in Lushan Mountain, China. Spadicoides lushanensis is characterized by obclavate, rostrate, pale brown, 40–65?×?4.5–5.5 μm, smooth, 6–8-euseptate conidia. Spadicoides multiseptata is easily distinguished by obclavate, smooth, 11–15-euseptate, 65–115?×?11.5–13 μm, brown to pale brown conidia with a subacute apex. Spadicoides rostrata differs from other described Spadicoides species by obclavate, rostrate, pale brown, 40–65?×?10.5–12.5 μm, smooth, predominantly 5-euseptate conidia. A dichotomous key to Spadicoides species is provided.     

Molecular evidence for hybridization between invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solidago canadensis</Emphasis> and native <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>. <Emphasis Type="Italic">virgaurea</Emphasis>

Hybridization between alien and native species is biologically very important and could lead to genetic erosion of native taxa. Solidago × niederederi was discovered over a century ago in Austria and described by Khek as a natural hybrid between the alien (nowadays regarded also as invasive) S. canadensis and native S. virgaurea. Although interspecific hybridization in the genus Solidago is considered to be relatively common, hybrid nature of S. × niederederi has not been independently proven using molecular tools, to date. Because proper identification of the parentage for the hybrid Solidago individuals solely based on morphological features can be misleading, in this paper we report an additive polymorphism pattern expressed in the ITS sequences obtained from individuals representing S. × niederederi, and confirm the previous hypothesis that the parental species of this hybrid are S. canadensis and S. virgaurea. Additionally, based on variability at the cpDNA rpl32-trnL locus, we showed that in natural populations hybridization occurs in both directions.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Shackletonia cryodesertorum</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Teloschistaceae</Emphasis>, Ascomycota), a new species from the McMurdo Dry Valleys (Antarctica) with notes on the biogeography of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Shackletonia</Emphasis>

A new species of Shackletonia (Teloschistaceae) is described from the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica, one of the regions with the harshest conditions on Earth. Distinctive traits of the new taxon are the grey thallus, its black lecideine apothecia with a dark greenish blue exterior side of the exciple, Lecidea green pigment present at the cortex and exciple, emodin-dominated anthraquinones only in epithecium, and spores on average 11.2?×?6.0 μm with 3.6 μm wide septum. New chemical data from HPLC analyses further supports the uniqueness of the genus Shackletonia regarding secondary metabolite production within subfamily Xanthorioideae. Using three molecular markers (nrITS, nuLSU, and mtSSU) we found the new species sister to S. sauronii, a species so far known only from Livingston Island (Antarctica). Using secondary calibrations we inferred a long-time evolution of Shackletonia in the Southern Hemisphere, which separated from the remaining lineages of Xanthorioideae between the late Cretaceous and the early Paleogene, and diversified during the late Paleocene and early Oligocene.     

Taxonomy and multi-gene phylogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haploporus</Emphasis> (Polyporales,Basidiomycota)

Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Haploporus were carried out. Three species in Haploporus, H. cylindrosporus, H. septatus and H. subpapyraceus, are described as new based on morphological differences and molecular phylogenetic analyses inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU), the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2) and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1) sequences. Haploporus cylindrosporus is characterized by big irregular crystals occasionally present in the subiculum, an abundant oily substance among hyphae and typically cylindrical basidiospores 10–11.5?×?4.5–5 μm; H. septatus differs from other species in the genus by its leathery to corky basidiomata when dry, small round pores (5–6 per mm), simple septate skeletal hyphae at the edge of the dissepiments, and oblong to ellipsoid basidiospores 8.5–11?×?5–6 μm; H. subpapyraceus is separated by white to cream basidiomata, numerous apically simple septate cystidioles and ellipsoid basidiospores 9–12?×?5.5–8 μm. An identification key to accepted species of Haploporus is provided.     

Multi-locus phylogeny and morphology reveal five new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fomitiporia</Emphasis> (Hymenochaetaceae) from China

Five newly identified species of Fomitiporia (F. alpina, F. gaoligongensis, F. hainaniana, F. subrobusta and F. subtropica) and their morphological and molecular characterisation are described in this paper. Fomitiporia alpina sp. nov. is distinguished by its pileate basidiomata, parallel tramal hyphae and large basidiospores (6.5–8 × 6–8 μm), and by its gymnosperm wood-living habitat. Fomitiporia gaoligongensis sp. nov. is distinct from other species due to its semicircular pileus and subglobose to globose basidiospores (6.5–7.6 × 6–7.4 μm). Fomitiporia hainaniana sp. nov. is marked by its resupinate basidiomata, the presence of setae and small globose basidiospores (4–5 × 3.8–4.4 μm). Fomitiporia subrobusta sp. nov. is characterised by its triquetrous basidiomata, small pores (6–9 per mm) with entire and thick dissepiments, and subglobose to obovoid basidiospores (6.2–6.8 × 5.2–6 μm). Fomitiporia subtropica sp. nov. can be differentiated by its resupinate basidiomata, smaller pores (6–10 per mm) and smaller basidiospores (5.2–6 × 4.4–5 μm). Phylogenetic analysis, based on multi-gene comparison of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene regions (nLSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (tef1α) and the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2), confirmed affinity with the Fomitiporia species and showed association with similar fungi in the genus.     

Pollen ultrastructure in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aristolochia manshuriensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. contorta</Emphasis> (Aristolochiaceae)

Pollen ultrastructure has been studied in two relict and rare species of the genus Aristolochia, A. contorta Bunge and A. manshuriensis Kom. (Aristolochiaceae). Both species have inaperturate, spheroidal, sometimes distally monocolpate or distally bicolpate pollen grains. The equatorial and polar axes of pollen grain in A. manshuriensis are 48.5 and 44.0 μm, respectively. The percentage of defective pollen grains in A. manshuriensis is 3.4%. The fossulate, perforated exine is up to 2.3 μm in thickness; the sexine and the nexine are almost equal in thickness. In A. contorta, the equatorial axis of pollen grain is 36.6 μm: the defectiveness percentage, 24.5%. The exine is verrucate, up to 0.3 μm in thickness, while the sexine is two to three times thicker than the nexine. The pollen germination experiments have shown that pollen of A. manshuriensis, in contrast to A. contorta, can germinate in 10–20% sucrose at 22°С. These data and the high percentage of pollen defectiveness in A. contorta indicate that the androecium function in this species is reduced. The reduction of the androecium function is evidenced by a small amount of pollen grains in anthers or empty anthers and a high percentage of defective pollen grains.     

Two new feather mites of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Proctophyllodes</Emphasis> Robin, 1868 (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) from European passerines (Aves: Passeriformes)

Two new species of the feather mite genus Proctophyllodes Robin, 1868 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) are described from two passerine birds (Passeriformes) in Europe: Proctophyllodes markovetsi n. sp. from the tawny pipit Anthus campestris (L.) (Motacillidae) and P. loxiae n. sp. from the red crossbill Loxia curvirostra (L.) (Fringillidae). Males of P. markovetsi are most clearly distinguished from the closely related P. tchagrae Atyeo & Braasch, 1966 by having greater terminal lamellae (30–40 × 20–25 µm), the tips of genital arch curved medially, and the corolla of the anal sucker with 14–15 denticles; females of this species are characterised by the terminal appendages distinctly longer than the lobar region width. Males of P. loxiae differ from the closest species, P. fuchsi Mironov, 1997, by having smaller terminal lamellae (45–50 × 22–28 μm), the genital organ extending beyond the posterior margin of lamellae by half their length; females can be distinguished by having the terminal cleft noticeably wider than long (28–30 × 35–40 μm).     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isospora</Emphasis> Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the twist-necked turtle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platemys platycephala</Emphasis> (Schneider) (Testudines: Chelidae) in Brazil

A new coccidian species of the genus Isospora Schneider 1881 (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) is reported from a single specimen of chelid turtle, Platemys platycephala (Schneider, 1792), obtained in a flooded area of the Amazonian municipality of Altamira, in Pará State, northern Brazil. The oöcysts of Isospora platemysi n. sp. are subspheroidal, 19.0–24.0 × 22.5–18.5 (22.6 × 20.8) µm in size [length/width ratio 1.0–1.1 (1.1)], with a colourless wall, 1.0–1.9 (1.4) wide, with two smooth layers; polar granule is present, oöcyst residuum and micropyle are both absent. The sporocyst is ovoidal, 10.0–12.1 × 8.0–10.0 (11.0 × 9.1) µm [length/width ratio 1.1–1.3 (1.2), with a knob-like Stieda body. Sub-Stieda body is present, rounded irregular-trapezoidal; para-Stieda body is absent. Sporocyst residuum is dispersed and composed of granules of differing sizes. This is only the fifth record of Isospora in chelonians, and the first report of a coccidian parasite of the genus Platemys.