INDIAN OCEAN NANOPLANKTON. I. RHABDOSPHAERACEAE (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE) WITH A REVIEW OF EXTANT TAXA1

Family characteristics of the Rhabdosphaeraceae are revised to limit the genera to those having cyrtoliths; genera with placoliths are removed from the family. Rhabdoliths, cyrtoliths bearing a process in the central area, are present in all genera. Coccospheres having monomorphic coccoliths, all being rhabdoliths, form one group within the family, whereas genera with dimorphic coccoliths in the coccosphere comprise a second group. Cyrtoliths without processes in the latter group may be intermixed with rhabdoliths in some genera, whereas other genera have rhabdoliths located only in polar regions of the coccosphere. Two generic nomenclatural changes are proposed, Algirosphaera being the name applied to species previously placed in Anthosphaera, an invalid generic name, and Palusphaera is recognized as a valid monotypic genus, P. vandeli being the name applied to the species that has been named Rhabdosphaera longistylis in recent literature. A new combination is made, Rhabdosphaera xiphos (Deflandre et Fert) comb. nov., recognizing a species formerly known only in sediments as extant. Rhabdosphaera, Acanthoica and Algirosphaera are genera with dimorphic coccoliths in the coccospheres; Discosphaera, Palusphaera and Anacanthoica are genera having monomorphic coccoliths in the coccosphere.     

A new genus of rodents (Remyidae, Mammalia) from the Iberian Eocene

Abstract:  In this article, a new genus, Frontanyamys , is defined based on the new species F. russelli . The genus is recorded from the lower Upper Eocene (Bartonian) beds AT Sant Jaume de Frontanya (NE Spain). This genus shows clear affinities with the previously described genera Zamoramys, Remys and Pairomys. They are therefore assembled in the family Remyidae (new rank). The remyids are characterised by the precocious development of high-crowned molars and retain a morphologically primitive dental pattern. The oldest remyids are found in the middle Eocene of Spain ( Zamoramys ) and are probably derived from a morphologically primitive protrogomorph rodent such as Corbarimys paisi . The last representatives of the family such as Remys and Pairomys developed a fully lophodont dental pattern.     

Systematic reappraisal of species in Phoma section Paraphoma, Pyrenochaeta and Pleurophoma

Sequence data from the 18S nrDNA (SSU) and 28S nrDNA (LSU) regions of isolates of Phoma section Paraphoma were compared with those of representative isolates of the morphologically similar anamorph genera Pleurophoma and Pyrenochaeta and of the type species of Phoma sections Phoma, Pilosa and Plenodomus. Phoma section Paraphoma was found to be highly polyphyletic within the Pleosporales and only distantly related to Phoma section Phoma. The genus Paraphoma, which is based on Paraphoma radicina, is reintroduced in the Phaeosphaeriaceae with two additional taxa. The new genera Setophoma and Neosetophoma, type species Setophoma terrestris comb. nov. and Neosetophoma samarorum comb. nov., are introduced and represent species that are closely related to Paraphoma but differ based on morphological characters and molecular phylogeny. Phoma coonsii is transferred to genus Chaetosphaeronema that also belongs to the Phaeosphaeriaceae. Pyrenochaetopsis gen. nov. is introduced to accommodate the type species Pyrenochaetopsis leptospora comb. nov., as well as several other species formerly accommodated in Phoma and Pyrenochaeta. Pyrenochaetopsis is closely related to Pyrenochaeta and classified in the Cucurbitariaceae. Pleurophoma cava is transferred to genus Pyrenochaeta. The new genera elucidate the confusing taxonomy of species in genera Phoma, Pyrenochaeta and Pleurophoma and recognize monophyletic genera with distinct teleomorph affinities.     

A molecular phylogeny of the fern family Pteridaceae: assessing overall relationships and the affinities of previously unsampled genera

The monophyletic Pteridaceae accounts for roughly 10% of extant fern diversity and occupies an unusually broad range of ecological niches, including terrestrial, epiphytic, xeric-adapted rupestral, and even aquatic species. In this study, we present the results of the first broad-scale and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of these ferns, and determine the affinities of several previously unsampled genera. Our analyses of two newly assembled data sets (including 169 newly obtained sequences) resolve five major clades within the Pteridaceae: cryptogrammoids, ceratopteridoids, pteridoids, adiantoids, and cheilanthoids. Although the composition of these clades is in general agreement with earlier phylogenetic studies, it is very much at odds with the most recent subfamilial classification. Of the previously unsampled genera, two (Neurocallis and Ochropteris) are nested within the genus Pteris; two others (Monogramma and Rheopteris) are early diverging vittarioid ferns, with Monogramma resolved as polyphyletic; the last previously unsampled genus (Adiantopsis) occupies a rather derived position among cheilanthoids. Interestingly, some clades resolved within the Pteridaceae can be characterized by their ecological preferences, suggesting that the initial diversification in this family was tied to ecological innovation and specialization. These processes may well be the basis for the diversity and success of the Pteridaceae today.     

The spider genus Enoplognatha (Araneae: Theridiidae) in Israel

Israeli theridiid spiders of the genus Enoplognatha are revised. Five species, four of them new, each represented by the two sexes, are recognized, and their affinities with similar species from adjacent regions are discussed. All species previously described from this region have been re-examined. The occurrence of E. mandibularis , formerly reported from Israel, has been confirmed, while the record of E. ovata has proved erroneous. A key to the species is provided.     

Phylogenetic placement of the spider genus Nephila (Araneae: Araneoidea) inferred from rRNA and MaSp1 gene sequences

The family status of the genus Nephila, which belongs to Tetragnathidae currently but Araneidae formerly, was reexamined based on molecular phylogenetic analyses. In the present study, 12S and 18S rRNA gene fragments of eight species of spiders were amplified and sequenced. In addition, 3'-end partial cDNA of major ampullate spidroin-1 (MaSp1) gene of Argiope amoena was cloned and sequenced, and the 3'-end non-repetitive region's cDNA sequence of MaSp1 gene and the predicted amino acid sequence of C-terminal non-repetitive region of MaSp1 were aligned with some previously known sequences. The resulting phylogeny showed that Araneidae and Tetragnathidae are not a sister group in the superfamily Araneoidea, and the genus Nephila is closer to the genera of the family Araneidae rather than to those of Tetragnathidae. We suggest that the genus Nephila should be transferred back to Araneidae. Or the subfamily Nephilinae might be elevated to family level after it was redefined and redelimited. Furthermore, the study showed that 3'-end non-repetitive region's cDNA sequence of MaSp1 gene and C-terminal non-repetitive region's amino acid sequence of MaSp1 are useful molecular markers for phylogenetic analysis of spiders.     

Embryology of the Irvingiaceae,a family with uncertain relationships among the Malpighiales

The Irvingiaceae, one of 40 families of the Malpighiales, comprise a small woody family of 10 species in three genera distributed in Old World tropics. Its relationships with other families are unclear, although recent molecular analyses suggest affinities with Linaceae, Caryocaraceae, Erythroxylaceae, and Rhizophoraceae. To gain insight into family relationships, we investigated 63 embryological characters of two previously unstudied African species, Irvingia gabonensis and I. smithii, and compared them with other Malpighiales and the sister group Oxalidales. Embryologically, Irvingia is characterized by the absence of an integumentary tapetum and by having a non-multiplicative inner integument, a multiplicative testa, many discrete fascicles of vascular bundles running in the testa from the raphe to antiraphe (each fascicle comprised several strands arranged in a concentric manner), and a fibrous exotegmen. Comparisons showed that Irvingia did not resemble any of the Linaceae, Caryocaraceae, Erythroxylaceae, Rhizophoraceae, or any of the other malpighialean families for which embryological data are available. The genus rather resembled Huaceae and Connaraceae (Oxalidales) in seed coat structure. However, 18 families (45%) of the Malpighiales are still poorly understood embryologically, and therefore additional studies are required for further critical comparisons.     

Multigene phylogenetic analysis of the Trichomonascus, Wickerhamiella and Zygoascus yeast clades, and the proposal of Sugiyamaella gen. nov. and 14 new species combinations

Relationships among species assigned to the ascosporic yeast genera Sporopachydermia, Stephanoascus, Trichomonascus, Wickerhamiella and Zygoascus, and to the associated anamorphic genera Arxula, Blastobotrys, Sympodiomyces and Trigonopsis, were determined from phylogenetic analyses of gene sequences from the nearly complete large-subunit rRNA gene, the mitochondrial small-subunit rRNA gene, and cytochrome oxidase II. The genus Stephanoascus is polyphyletic, resulting in reassignment of two species to the older genus Trichomonascus and the third to Sugiyamaella gen. nov. (type species Sugiyamaella smithiae). The genera Sporopachydermia, Wickerhamiella and Zygoascus appear to be monophyletic. The species Pichia ofunaensis and P. tannicola are proposed for transfer to Zygoascus. Arxula, Blastobotrys and Sympodiomyces are members of the Trichomonascus clade, with the genus Blastobotrys having taxonomic priority for anamorphic states. Trigonopsis variabilis and three species of Candida represent a distinct clade. From the foregoing gene sequence analyses, the new ascosporic genus Sugiyamaella is proposed, as are 14 new species combinations and the new family Trichomonascaceae.     

Abrocomaphthirus hoplai, a new genus and species of sucking louse from Chile and its relevance to zoogeography

Both sexes of Abrocomaphthirus hoplai, new genus and new species (Anoplura: Polyplacidae), are described and illustrated. The endemic Chilean chinchilla rat Abrocoma bennetti Waterhouse (Rodentia: Abrocomidae) is the type host. The definition of the family Polyplacidae is amended to accommodate the new genus. Polyplax longa (Werneck), also referred to in the literature as Neohaematopinus longus Werneck, is reassigned to Abrocomaphthirus. The host of A. longus comb.n., is Abrocoma cinerea Thomas, another chinchilla rat, which inhabits parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. The erection of Abrocomaphthirus as a distinct genus has important zoogeographical and evolutionary implications. The tenuous anomaly of P. longa being the sole native representative of the genus Polyplax in South America, possibly with African affinities, is now refuted. Instead, partial colonization of the neotropics by native species of both Polyplax and Neohaematopinus appears to have been relatively recent and from North America. The phylogenetic affinities of Abrocomaphthirus are unknown, but it appears to be closely related to other, more ancient, native South American polyplacid louse genera, such as Cuyana, Eulinognathus, Galeophthirus, and Lagidiophthirus. Arguments are presented in support of an ancestral zoogeographical link to Africa for these louse genera.     

Phylogeny of the Pluteaceae (Agaricales, Basidiomycota): taxonomy and character evolution

The phylogeny of the genera traditionally classified in the family Pluteaceae (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) was investigated using molecular data from nuclear ribosomal genes (nSSU, ITS, nLSU) and consequences for taxonomy and character evolution were evaluated. The genus Volvariella is polyphyletic, as most of its representatives fall outside the Pluteoid clade and shows affinities to some hygrophoroid genera (Camarophyllus, Cantharocybe). Volvariella gloiocephala and allies are placed in a different clade, which represents the sister group of Pluteus, and a new generic name, Volvopluteus, is proposed to accommodate these taxa. Characters such as basidiospore size and pileipellis structure can be used to separate Pluteus, Volvariella and Volvopluteus. The genus Pluteus is monophyletic and includes species with partial veil traditionally classified in the genus Chamaeota. The evolution of morphological features used in the infrageneric taxonomy of the genus, such as metuloid cystidia and pileipellis structure, was analyzed. Agreement between the molecular phylogeny and morphological subdivision of Pluteus is, generally speaking, good, though some rearrangements are necessary: (i) species with non-metuloid pleurocystidia and pileipellis as a cutis are placed either in sect. Celluloderma, together with the species characterized by a hymenidermal pipeipellis, or in sect. Pluteus, with the metuloid bearing species; (ii) subdivision of sect. Celluloderma according to the presence/absence of cystidioid elements in the pileipellis is not supported by molecular data.     

Phylogenetic relationships among Phialocephala species and other ascomycetes

Phialocephala was established for species in the Leptographium complex that produce conidia from phialides at the apices of dark mononematous conidiophores. Some species previously included in Phialocephala were re-allocated to Sporendocladia because they resembled Thielaviopsis in having ring-wall-building conidial development and conidia with two attachment points that emerge in false chains. Despite this significant realignment of the genus, a great deal of morphological heterogeneity remains in Phialocephala. The objective of this study was to consider the heterogeneity among Phialocephala spp. based on comparisons of sequence data derived from the large and small subunits (LSU and SSU) of the rRNA operon of species in Phialocephala. Phialocephala dimorphospora, the type species of the genus, and P. fortinii grouped with genera of the Helotiales in phylogenetic trees generated based on the LSU and SSU datasets. Phialocephala xalapensis and P. fusca clearly are unrelated to Phialocephala sensu stricto and should represent a new genus in the Ophiostomatales. Phialocephala compacta resides with representatives of the Hypocreales, and we believe that it represents a distinct genus. Phialocephala scopiformis and P. repens are not closely related to the other Phialocephala species and group within the Dothideales. The morphological heterogeneity among species of Phialocephala clearly is reflected by phylogenetic analysis of sequence data from two conserved rRNA gene regions. Appropriate genera now need to be found to accommodate these fungi.     

浙江北雁荡山蕨类植物区系特征分析

通过标本和文献查阅以及野外调查,对浙江北雁荡山蕨类植物的区系组成和分布区类型进行了分析.结果显示:北雁荡山共有蕨类植物37科71属156种(含种下分类群);以单种和寡种分布的科和属所占比例最大,分别占总科数和总属数的75.7％和91.5％.该区域蕨类植物科的分布区类型以世界分布型和泛热带分布型为主,分别有14和20科,占总科数的37.8％和54.1％;热带成分总计22科,占总科数的59.5％,而温带成分仅1科.属的分布区类型可划分为9类型2亚型,包含世界分布型17属、热带分布型47属、温带分布型7属;其中,泛热带分布型属数量最多区28属),占总属数的39.4％.种的分布区类型以东亚分布型最多(93种),其中,中国-日本分布亚型有65种,占总种数的41.7％.中国特有种有21种(占总种数的13.5％),其中2种为仅分布于本区域的特有种,分布类型以华东-华南分布最多.由分析结果可见:北雁荡山蕨类植物具有组成丰富、区系起源古老、地理成分多样、热带区系特征明显及特有种数量匮乏等特点,但与周边区域蕨类植物分布有紧密联系.     

A revision of the Australian earthworm genus Woodwardiella with descriptions of two new genera (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta)

The genus Woodwardiella Stephenson, 1925, from which oriental species were excluded by Gates (1938, 1939, 1960), is further restricted to include only five south-western Australian species, a Tasmanian species and provisionally, as species inquirenda , the Victorian W. healesi (Michaelsen, 1923) and a further Tasmanian species, W. mortoni Spencer, 1895.
Twelve species originally assignable to Woodwardiella , of which one is reduced to a junior synonym, constitute a new genus, Heteroporodrilus , known only from the southeastern portion of the Australian mainland.
Woodwardiella punctatus (Spencer, 1900) is shown to be a junior synonym of the sympatric Victorian W. smithi (Fletcher, 1889a) which is placed in the new monotypic genus Pseudoperichaeta.
Plutellus manifestus (Fletcher, 1889), which has tubular prostates and belongs to the family Acanthodrilidae s. Gates, shows close affinities with Heteroporodrilus which is referable to the family Megascolecidae s. Gates, characterized by racemose prostates. Variation in the form of the prostates can no longer be accorded even subfamilial significance and Plutellus is transferred to the subfamily Megascolecinae. Close morphological similarity demonstrated between P. manifestus and P. heteroporus Perrier, 1873, the type species of the genus, suggests a basis for restriction of the heterogeneous assemblage known as Plutellus.
Diporochaeta davallia Spencer, 1900, has close affinities with Pseudoperichaeta and, like this genus, has tufted meronephridia anteriorly.     

A revision of Thompsonulidae Lang, 1944 (Gopepoda: Harpacticoida)

The harpacticoid copepod subfamily Thompsonulinae Lang, 1944, formerly recognized as belonging to the family Tachidiidae (Lang, 1948) is raised to family rank and redefined to include only the genera Thompsonula T. Scott and Caribbula gen. nov. Thompsonula hyaenae (I. C. Thompson) and T. curticauda (Wilson) are redescribed and refigured. Re-examination of the original material showed that Wilson's Rathbunula agilis is synonymous with T. curticauda and not with T. hyaenae , as suggested by Lang (1948). It is now clear that the two species of Thompsonula have distinct distributions, T. curticauda being confined to the North American continent and T. hyaenae to western Europe and the Mediterranean. The genus Caribbula is established to accommodate the type species, T. hyaenae elongata (Gee) and C. fleegeri sp. nov. which are described and figured. The genus Caribbula is distinguished from Thompsonua , primarily by the unique sexual dimorphism on the exopod of P4 and, at present, is known only from the eastern seaboard of the United States and Gulf of Mexico. The genera Danielssenia, Psammis, Paradanielssenia, Micropsammis and Leptotachidia are tentatively assigned to the family Paranannopidae Por.     

Molecular phylogenetics of the giant genus Croton and tribe Crotoneae (Euphorbiaceae sensu stricto) using ITS and TRNL-TRNF DNA sequence data

Parsimony, likelihood, and Bayesian analyses of nuclear ITS and plastid trnL-F DNA sequence data are presented for the giant genus Croton (Euphorbiaceae s.s.) and related taxa. Sampling comprises 88 taxa, including 78 of the estimated 1223 species and 29 of the 40 sections previously recognized of Croton. It also includes the satellite genus Moacroton and genera formerly placed in tribe Crotoneae. Croton and all sampled segregate genera form a monophyletic group sister to Brasiliocroton, with the exception of Croton sect. Astraea, which is reinstated to the genus Astraea. A small clade including Moacroton, Croton alabamensis, and C. olivaceus is sister to all other Croton species sampled. The remaining Croton species fall into three major clades. One of these is entirely New World, corresponding to sections Cyclostigma, Cascarilla, and Velamea sensu Webster. The second is entirely Old World and is sister to a third, also entirely New World clade, which is composed of at least 13 of Webster's sections of Croton. This study establishes a phylogenetic framework for future studies in the hyper-diverse genus Croton, indicates a New World origin for the genus, and will soon be used to evaluate wood anatomical, cytological, and morphological data in the Crotoneae tribe.