Two amphistomes,Lobatodiscus australiensis n.g., n.sp. and Elseyatrema microacetabularis n.g., n.sp., from the Australian turtle Elseya dentata (Gray)

Summary Lobatodiscus australiensis n.g., n.sp. (family and subfamily uncertain) and Elseyatrema microacetabularis n.g., n.sp. (family Paramphistomidae, subfamily Dadaytrematinae?), from the intestine of the freshwater turtle Elseya dentata (Gray) in Queensland, Australia, are described. Lobatodiscus has a large lobed acetabulum, small oral diverticula which do not protrude out of the oral sucker, two pairs of lymph vessels and no oesophageal bulb. Elseyatrema has a small acetabulum, large protruding oral diverticula, an oesophageal bulb, juxtaposed testes, one pair of rudimentary lymph vessels and no cirrus-sac. ac]19830626     

The effects of disturbance on a herbivore-epilithon interaction in an upland stream

Two experiments were performed in an upland stream to determine the effects of the frequency of physical disturbance on the relationship between an abundant glossosomatid trichopteran (Agapetus monticolus; Banks) and the epilithon upon which it feeds. Artificial cobbles with an established epilithic community were tumbled either every 1, 2 or 4 weeks. The first experiment failed to detect any significant effects of rock tumbling on the abundance of A. monticolus or the epilithon: a result due to several spates. The first experiment did reveal that disturbances may disrupt the ability of A. monticolus to locate patches of abundant food. The second experiment found that although the abundance of A. monticolus was not affected by the disturbances, periphyton abundance was significantly reduced. Increasing the frequency of disturbance did not magnify this effect. Comparisons of these results with other studies of disturbance in streams indicate that the effects of disturbance on herbivory may be highly variable. A variety of factors, such as the relative resistances of the herbivores and the epilithon, need to be examined before the effects of disturbances on lotic herbivorous interactions can be completely understood.     

Neorhabditostomum yeni n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda,Strongyloidea) from Muntiacus muntjak in Sabah,Malaysia

Neorhabditostomum yeni n. g., sp. is described from the intestine of the barking deer, Muntiacus muntjak, from Simatuoh, Sapulot, Sabah, Malaysia. It is distinguished from the nearest genera, namely Bourgelatoides and Rhabditostomum, in the subfamily Oesophagostominae by the presence of an elongate, unsegmented, oesophageal funnel, a single leaf crown, the separation of the oral collar by a wide groove from the cephalic vesicle, the position of the cervical papillae, the absence of filaments on the spicules and the absence of an evagination of the vulva. The significance of the arrangement of the cephalic papillae within the Stronglyloidea is discussed. ac]19860428     

Inconsistency in the experimentally derived relationship between epilithon abundance and the micro-distribution of Agapetus monticolus (Trichoptera)

Abstract Studies of the micro-distribution of herbivorous lotic macroinvertebrates have tended to rely on short-term experiments. While these experiments have provided information on the factors that determine the distributions of herbivorous invertebrates, they ignore the complexity of the epilithon as a food source, any interaction between physical and biological factors and the possibility that the factors that determine an invertebrate species’ distribution may vary through time. Five colonization experiments were performed in an Australian upland stream to determine the role of epilithon abundance in the distribution of an abundant invertebrate (Agapetus monticolus: Trichoptera). Artificial cobbles with different types and amounts of epilithon were placed in the Taggerty River at two sites and the response of A. monticolus recorded. The experiments revealed that, although A. monticolus expressed a preference for patches of epilithon with abundant periphyton, the response varied among experiments performed at different times and was always secondary to the flow preferences of A. monticolus. Studies that fail to acknowledge the presence of temporal variation in the response of animals to their environment run the risk that they will over- or underestimate the importance of particular factors because of the timing of their experiment.     

Growth, production and mortality of two species of Agapetus (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae) in the Acheron River, south-east Australia

1. Quantitative samples of Agapetus pontona and Agapetus monticolus larvae were taken at two sites on each of three rivers in the catchment of the Acheron River (i.e. Little River, Steavenson River and Acheron River). Both species were univoltine with A. pontona having a 5–6-month life cycle (spring to late summer) and A. monticolus a 10-month life cycle (autumn to early summer). 2. Population densities, biomass (B), growth rates and mortality patterns derived from these field data were used to calculate secondary production (P) and turnover (P/B). At each site, these features were measured for the whole of the A. pontona life cycle, but only for the last 3 months of the A. monticolus life cycle. 3. Growth rates were highest at the sites on the Little River during summer for both species: 1.8–1.9% dry weight day^?1 for A. pontona and 2.0–2.2% dry weight day^?1 for A. monticolus. Turnover ratios (P/B) were also highest at the Little River sites: 3.2–6.3 for A. pontona and 1.6–1.9 for A. monticolus. Production was variable and was not significantly different among rivers for A. pontona (28.4–222.1 mg m^?2 per 6 months) but was for A. monticolus (70.5–123.8 mg m^?2 per 3 months for the Little River compared with 14.8–23.3 mg m^?2 at the other sites). 4. Two of the rivers were subject to higher levels of rock movement during summer than the third (Little River). It was suggested that the higher growth rates (and turnover ratios) in the Little River were caused by the lower levels of rock movement causing less disruption to the feeding of the larvae. 5. Little or no larval mortality of A. pontona was observed at any site. However, mortality occurred between instar 5 and the pupal stage. This varied in a density dependent fashion, suggesting population regulation occurred: the higher the larval density the greater the mortality suffered by the pupae. No such density dependent pattern occurred for the mortality between instar 5 and the pupal stage of A. monticolus. 6. The population of A. pontona was not food limited and larval densities were low. Competition appeared to occur for pupation sites. Low and relatively constant discharges during the late summer when A. pontona pupated appeared to provide more predictable conditions than those experienced by A. monticolus in the spring when discharge was very variable resulting in the stranding (and thus death) of pupae above the water line. Such unpredictable conditions would not foster density dependent population regulation via pupal mortality.     

Distichochlamys rubrostriata (Zingiberaceae), a new species from northern Vietnam

A third species of the until recently monotypic genusDistichochlamys (Zingiberaceae) is described from living and preserved material collected in northern Vietnam.Distichochlamys rubrostriata is distinguished from the original species,D. citrea, and the recently describedD. orlowii, on the basis of leaf, inflorescence bract, lateral staminode, and labellum characters.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dalea</Emphasis> ser. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Versicolores</Emphasis> (Leguminosae: Amorpheae) from Durango,Mexico

Dalea conetensis, a new species from the central part of the State of Durango, Mexico, is described and illustrated. It is referred to Dalea subgenus Parosela sect. Parosela series Versicolores. It is morphologically similar to D. pinetorum var. pinetorum but can be distinguished by its shorter stipules, leaves, bracts, calyx teeth, petals, androecium, fewer and shorter leaflets, and the calyx pubescence.     

Effects of microspatial complexity on a herbivore—epilithon interaction in an Australian upland stream

1. Increases in spatial heterogeneity may provide more food, create new resources or interfere with the foraging activities of a herbivore. 2. Three colonization experiments were performed in an upland stream to investigate the effects of one type of spatial heterogeneity (grooves on the substratum) on the relationship between an abundant herbivore, Agapetus monticolus (Banks, Trichoptera), and the epilithon on which it feeds. 3. The results indicate that grooves do not provide any different resources or interfere with the foraging activities of A. monticolus, but may increase food abundance, although the effect of grooves on food abundance appears to vary temporally. 4. Temporal variation in the effects of microspatial complexity raises the possibility that its importance to the community may be over- or underestimated unless experiments are designed to incorporate this temporal variation.     

Bacteria Associated with the Oesophageal Bulb of the Medfly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera:Tephritidae)

Extracellular Gram negative bacteria were found to be commonly associated to the oesophageal bulb of Ceratitis capitata with Klebsiella oxytoca and Enterobacter agglomerans as the most common species. All the isolates tested in vitro, except one, were sensitive to the antibacterial material present on the medfly laid egg surface. Received: 3 May 2001 / Accepted: 7 June 2001     

Macromitrium maolanense Zeyou Zhang,D.D.Li,Jing Yu & S.L.Guo,a new species from China based on molecular and morphological evidence

Introduction. During a field excursion in Guizhou Province, China, we collected some interesting moss specimens with branch leaves subulate in the upper part, partially and variably bistratose laminae, and a Macromitrium-like epiphytic growth habit on tree trunks. We present morphological and phylogenetic arguments for recognising these plants as a new moss species in the genus Macromitrium Brid. (Orthotrichaceae).

Methods. We compared the morphology of the potential new species with closely related species of Macromitrium, and constructed a phylogenetic tree based on ITS2, trnL and trnG including sampling from 14 other morphologically similar species of Macromitrium.

Key results. The proposed new species belongs to the genus Macromitrium (Orthotrichaceae, Musci). It is closely related to M. gymnostomum Sull. & Lesq. in the phylogenetic tree and according to gametophytic morphological features, represents a hitherto undescribed species.

Conclusions. A new moss species, Macromitrium maolanense Zeyou Zhang, D.D.Li, Jing Yu & S.L.Guo, is described and illustrated. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners by the combination of the following features of the branch leaves: (1) oblong-lanceolate, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, gradually narrowed to an easily broken subula; (2) rather obscure upper and medial cells, often with blackish stains among cells, densely pluripapillose; (3) variably and partially bistratose laminae in the upper 1/3 portion; (4) basal cells clear, hyaline and smooth, those near costae forming a ‘cancellina region’; and (5) with numerous brownish, clavate gemmae on upper portion. We also discuss the principal distinctive characters separating the new species from its nearest congeners.     

A comparison of vegetative features of Ditrichum cylindricarpum and Ditrichum punctulatum

Abstract

Vegetative plants of Ditrichum cylindricarpum and D. punctulatum may be distinguished by the presence in the former of more stereid cells in the leaf subula and sheath, a bistratose shoulder region to the leaf, and a thin-walled stem cortex.     

A new species of Eremogone (Caryophyllaceae) from northern Utah and southeastern Idaho, U.S.A.

A name (Eremogone loisiae) is provided for those plants from northern Utah and southeastern Idaho that have gone under the misapplied name Eremogone kingii subsp. uintahensis. Eremogone loisiae, named in honor of Lois A. Arnow, is distinguished from E. kingii by its longer and narrower, flexuous leaves and its longer sepals, petals, styles, capsules, and seeds.     

Phytochemical Variation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fritillaria cirrhosa</Emphasis> D. Don (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chuan Bei Mu</Emphasis>) in Relation to Plant Reproductive Stage and Timing of Harvest<Superscript>1</Superscript>

Phytochemical Variation in Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don ( Chuan Bei Mu ) in Relation to Plant Reproductive Stage and Timing of Harvest. Economic development in southwest China and the increasing use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) worldwide have led to intensified collection of native medicinal plants. Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don (Chuan Bei Mu), commonly used for the treatment of cough in TCM, is endemic to the Hengduan Mountain region of southwest China and is under increasing pressure from over-collection and decreasing suitable alpine habitat. The bioactive compounds in F. cirrhosa bulbs, isosteroidal alkaloids, are greatly influenced by environmental conditions and fluctuate in content and concentration with plant age and reproductive stage. Aiming at obtaining useful information for the sustainable management of wild F. cirrhosa populations, we evaluated how the phytochemical composition of F. cirrhosa bulbs varies at various stages of plant reproductive development. Using chemical methods and high-performance liquid chromatography, we extracted and analyzed two major bioactive alkaloids from F. cirrhosa bulb samples collected throughout the Hengduan Mountain region. Plant reproductive stage was found to affect the concentration of bioactive alkaloids in F. cirrhosa bulbs. Bulb alkaloid concentration was highest during the early stages of fruit development and decreased significantly with fruit maturation. These results lend biochemical support to the practice of harvesting F. cirrhosa during the early stages of plant senescence (i.e., early fruit development).     

Gyrodactylus quadratidigitus n. sp. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae), a parasite of the leopard-spotted goby Thorogobius ephippiatus (Lowe) from the south-western coast of the UK

Gyrodactylus quadratidigitus n. sp. (Monogenea, Gyrodactylidae) is described from the gills, fins and skin of Thorogobius ephippiatus (Lowe) (leopard-spotted goby) from Portland Castle Bay, Dorset, UK. G. quadratidigitus n. sp. most closely resembles the species ofGyrodactyluspreviously described by Geets from Pomatoschistus microps(Krøyer) in the approximate shape and size of the attachment hooks but can be readily distinguished from other species of the genus by the distinctive square shape of the toe region of the marginal hook sickle, the anteriorly positioned cirrus bulb and the unusually short intestinal crura which extend only as far as the level of the testes.     

Sites of virus retention in the alimentary tract of the nematode vectors, Xiphinema diversicaudatum (Micol.) and X. index (Thorne and Allen)

Electron microscopy of thin sections of Xiphinema diversicaudatum and X. index fed on plants infected respectively with arabis mosaic and grapevine fanleaf viruses showed that the viruses are retained as a monolayer of particles adsorbed on to the cuticle lining the lumina of the odontophore (stylet extension), anterior oesophagus and oesophageal bulb. During the moult of the nematode the cuticular lining is shed and together with the detached virus particles is ingested into the intestine through the oesophago-intestinal valve; this supports the limited experimental evidence that viruses transmitted by X. diversicaudatum and X. index are not retained through the moult.     

Chiloplectus masleni sp. nov. and variability in populations of Plectus acuminatus Bastian 1865 (Nematoda: Plectidae) from the nunatak Basen,Vestfjella, Dronning Maud Land,East Antarctica

 A new species, Chiloplectus masleni sp. nov., and 12 populations of Plectus acuminatus are described from the nunatak Basen, Vestfjella, Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. C. masleni sp. nov. is distinguished from the closely related C. loricatus by a broader lip region, longer stoma, the more posterior position of amphids, a pear-shaped basal bulb, more narrow annuli, anterior annuli that are evenly rounded and a larger number of tail setae. New information is provided on internal and external morphology of specimens of P. acuminatus from Basen. Received: 20 December 1995/Accepted: 17 March 1996     

Aquanirmus austvalis n. sp. (Mallophaga: Philopteridae) from the New Zealand dabchick,Podiceps rufopecius

Aquanirmus australis n. sp., from the New Zealand dabchick (Podiceps rufopectus Gray), is described and illustrated. Although showing affinities with both the emersoni and bahli species groups, it is distinguished from the former by the female head length, which is less than 25 % of the total body length, and from the latter by the male terminal tergite, which does not extend beyond the sternal margin.     

Deprea nubicola (Solanaceae), a new species from northern Colombia

A new species,Deprea nubicola, is described. Although the corolla is similar in some aspects to that ofD. bitteriana, D. nubicola is distinguished by its diminutive leaves, a low density of hairs in the corolla annulus, glabrous filaments, and a distinctive long-pedicellate, subulate-lobed fruiting calyx.Deprea nubicola shares withD. ecuatoriana a fruiting calyx that tightly invests the berry. The distribution ofD. nubicola is limited to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northern Colombia. A key to the species ofDeprea is provided.     

Amanita xenokommosis (Agaricales,Basidiomycota), a striking new species from sand dune forest of northeastern Brazil,with a key for phenetically similar species*

Abstract

Amanita is a well established genus corresponding one to the major groups of Agaricales having with a rich systematic story. Several species belonging to this genus were recently reported from Brazil. Recent studies changed drastically its infrageneric classification, recognizing the subgenera Amanita, Amanitina and Lepidella. Within the subg. Amanitina, the ectomycorrhizal species with amyloid basidiospores, appendiculate pileus and stipe base with more globose to subglobose bulb belong to sect. Roanokenses. Amanita xenokommosis belongs to this section and is described here a new species from the Brazilian Coastal Sand Dune. It is characterized by elongate to cylindrical amyloid basidiospores, brown pileus with sharp floccose appendiculate remnants and bulb covered by a large limbate/saccate universal veil. Amanita caojizong, A. manginiana, A. modesta, A. pseudomanginiana and A. pseudoporphyria are similar species, but differ in many aspects, such as basidiospores size, shape of bulb and characteristics of the universal veil.