Characterisation of the enigmatic,endemic red algaGelidium allanii (Gelidiales) from northern New Zealand — morphology,distribution, agar chemistry

Gelidium allanii Chapman is endemic to northern New Zealand with a highly localised distribution. This species has remained little known, having been collected from only one locality for more than 40 years. We compare this species with other New Zealand members of the Gelidiaceae, in particularGelidium caulacantheum andPterocladia capillacea, presenting new data on morphology, distribution and agar chemistry to more fully characteriseG. allanii.G. allanii possesses a very distinctive, highly pyruvated agar. New Zealand records of two Australian speciesG. australe andG. asperum are examined and it is concluded that there is no evidence for their occurrence in New Zealand.Author for correspondence     

The lipidic extract of the seaweed Gracilariopsis longissima (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales): a potential resource for biotechnological purposes?

In recent years seaweeds increasingly attracted interest in the search for new drugs and have been shown to be a primary source of bioactive natural products including antibiotics. In the present investigation the antimicrobial activity of Gracilariopsis longissima lipidic extract was assayed and its chemical characterization was carried out by means of advanced analytical techniques such as gas-chromatography and multinuclear and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. G. longissima lipidic extract showed an antibacterial activity against several Vibrio species. These results are interesting considering both the resistance against antibiotics developed by vibrios and the need to control fish and shellfish diseases due to vibriosis. Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters performed by gas-chromatography showed that palmitic acid methyl ester (16:0) was the predominant saturated fatty acid (42%), while, among monounsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid methyl ester (18:1) prevailed (8.5%). Because the palmitic acid represents the main component of fatty acids we hypothesized its involvement in the antibacterial activity observed. However, a pure sample of palmitic acid did not show an antibacterial activity. The fatty acid profile of G. longissima revealed also an interesting composition in polyunsaturated fatty acids and in particular the ratio of ω-3 to ω-6 fatty acids was >1 thus suggesting that this macroalga may be used as a natural source of ω3. Moreover, the (1)H NMR spectrum in CDCl(3) of algal lipid fraction shows the characteristic signals of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as well as other metabolites. Interestingly, in the lipid extract the presence of polyhydroxybutyrate, a linear biodegradable and biocompatible polyester, was clearly identified by NMR spectroscopy. In conclusion, the lipidic extract of G. longissima on account of its antimicrobial activity, nutritional value and content in biodegradable and biocompatible polyester represents an interesting potential biotechnological resource.     

Sursumura affinis sp. n.—a New Deep-Sea Species of the Family Munnopsidae (Isopoda: Asellota) from the Region of Australia and New Zealand

We describe here Sursumura affinis sp.n., a new deepwater species of the family Munnopsididae (Isopoda: Asellota) from the South Australian and South Fiji hollows. It is characterized as follows: the dorsum of the body is not granulated, bearing short setae; the pleonite lacks a dorsal spine; the pleotelson bears 5 dorsal spines; the preanal projection of the pleotelson is well-developed; the exopod of pleopod 4 is relatively slender and short. In morphology, the new species is most similar to S. abyssalis (Wolff, 1962) from the Tasmanian Sea. This is the second species of the genus described from the Australian–New Zealand region.     

Mechanics of sculpture formation in Magadiceramus? rangatira rangatira (Inoceramidae,Bivalvia) from the Upper Cretaceous of New Zealand

The surface sculpture of the inoceramid bivalve Magadiceramus? rangatira rangatira consists of commarginal ribs and curious, transverse wrinkles. The wrinkles typically are at a high angle or orthogonal to the shell margin (‘antimarginal’) and thus differ from purely radial structures. They show features of distribution and morphology that reveal them to be products of margin‐parallel compression of the shell‐secreting mantle and its adjacent, flexible, uncalcified periostracum. The interaction of wrinkles with commarginal ribs indicates that the ribs also formed as folds of the mantle margin. During growth, commarginal folding caused withdrawal of the entire mantle margin towards the umbo, with a consequent reduction in perimeter length. Measurement of specimens indicates that fabrication of the commarginal ribs resulted in the magnitude of commarginal shortening that is required for the formation of transverse wrinkles. We infer that early in ontogeny, at the first development of these sculptures, the wrinkles resulted entirely from mantle contraction and resultant commarginal shortening. With subsequent growth, total wrinkling included a component of ‘pre‐wrinkling’ inherited from the preceding growth stage; the contribution of pre‐wrinkling to total wrinkling increased with shell size. The proposed mechanical model is two‐phase. First, the transversely corrugated (pre‐wrinkled) mantle and periostracum advanced and secreted a slightly concave growth increment. Secondly, the mantle subsequently contracted to create a commarginal rib and increase the number and amplitude of transverse wrinkles. This model is consistent with a homogeneous mantle lacking any differentiated and specialized rib‐constructing segments.     

Immature stages of Curculionoidea — the weevils of The Snares islands,New Zealand

Abstract

The following weevil species are known from The Snares islands: Anthribidae — Cacephatus aucklandicus, Lichenobius littoralis; Curculionidae — Exeiratus laqueorum, Pentarthrum spadiceum, Notacalles planidorsis, Lyperobius sp., Hadramphus stilbocarpae, Phrynixus laqueorum, Gromilus laqueorum, Nestrius laqueorum, Catoptes brevicornis australis, Oclandius vestitus. The larvae and pupae are described and figured, and keys for their separation are given.     

Recent brachiopods from New Zealand — background to the study cruises of 1977–79

Abstract

Information collected during study cruises to Stewart Island, Fiordland, and the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, has led, to a reappraisal of both the physical nature of living brachiopods and the habitats occupied by, them. Two widely disparate environments—steep rock walls of fiords, and floors of shallow, muddy inlets—have brachiopod species in common. Other macrobrota characteristic of these hard and soft substrates are described. Populations of species belonging to two of the genera observed and collected in these habitats form the basis for morphological, population, and behavioural studies. One conclusion from these studies—that an individual's capacity to occupy any substrate or environment is restrioted only by one variable organ, the pedlicle—is consistent with the historical record of the phylum.     

Population monitoring of the endangered New?Zealand spider,

The endangered New?Zealand widow spider, Latrodectus katipo, is believed to have undergone marked population decline over the last 30 years, but as monitoring methods are time- and labour-intensive, and require observers to have a high level of experience, the current status of many populations is unknown. We investigated the use of artificial cover objects (ACOs) as an alternative monitoring tool for L. katipo at three sites at Himatangi Beach, Manawatu, New?Zealand, from late 2004 through to mid-2005. Occupancy rates of the ACOs were compared with population densities obtained from habitat searches, to assess their efficacy as a monitoring tool. Numbers of the introduced spider, Steatoda capensis, which may be a competitor of L.?katipo, were also recorded during habitat searches. ACOs were reliable monitoring tools, with occupancy rates higher at the site with the highest L.?katipo population density. Latrodectus katipo populations were found to have highly female biased sex-ratios, with a longer breeding season at Himatangi than reported previously at other sites. Steatoda capensis exists at much higher population densities than L.?katipo at Himatangi. However, fluctuations in the populations of the two species appear to be unrelated. ACOs could be used as a non-destructive monitoring tool for many other arachnid species.     

A new species of Hymenolepis (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) from the New Zealand long‐tailed bat,Chalinolobus tuberculatus

Hymenolepis chalinolobi n. sp. is described from the small intestine of the New Zealand long‐tailed bat, Chalinolobus tuberculatus (Forster, 1844). The tapeworm is distinguished by its small size (16–19 mm), 23 hooks, and the shape of the ovary and testes.     

Three new species of the genus Philopteroides Mey, 2004 (Phthiraptera,Ischnocera, Philopteridae) from?New?Zealand

We describe and illustrate three new species of chewing lice in the genus Philopteroides parasitic on passerines (Order Passeriformes, families Acanthizidae, Rhipiduridae and Petroicidae) from New Zealand. They are: Philopteroides pilgrimisp. n. from Gerygone igata igata; Philopteroides fuliginosussp. n. from Rhipidura fuliginosa placabilis and Rhipidura fuliginosa fuliginosa; and Philopteroides macrocephalussp. n. from Petroica macrocephala macrocephala and Petroica macrocephala dannefaerdi. The identity of Docophorus lineatus Giebel, 1874 is discussed based on its morphology and host association. We also transfer Tyranniphilopterus beckeri to the genus Philopteroides, and provide a key to identify adults of 12 of the 13 species now included in Philopteroides.     

New records of rhodolith-forming species (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from deep water in Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Little is known about the diversity of non-geniculate coralline red algae (Rhodophyta, Corallinophycidae) from deep waters in Brazil. Most surveys undertaken in this country have been carried out in shallow waters. In 1994, however, the REVIZEE program surveyed the sustainable living resources potential of the Brazilian exclusive economic zone to depths of 500?m. In the present study, the rhodolith-forming coralline algae from the continental shelf of Espírito Santo State were identified. Samples were taken from 54 to 60?m depth by dredging during ship cruises in 1997. Three rhodolith-forming species were found: Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain, Lithothamnion muelleri Lenormand ex Rosanoff and Lithothamnion glaciale Kjellman. These records extend the distribution ranges of these species into Brazilian waters and extend the depth distribution of non-geniculate coralline red algae into Brazilian water to 58?m.     

Vertical Distribution of Pelagic Ostracods (Ostracoda,Halocyprinidae) in the Australian–New Zealand Sector of the Southern Ocean

Samples of plankton from the Australian–New Zealand sector of the Southern Ocean have been examined. A species list of pelagic fauna of ostracods is presented including latitudes and depths for Antarctic and Subantarctic water structures and the neighboring subtropical regions. The vertical distribution of ostracods is studied in the waters of the Subantarctic and Antarctic.     

Latitudinal Distribution of Pelagic Ostracods (Ostracoda,Halocyprinidae) in the Australian–New Zealand Sector of the Southern Ocean

The latitudinal distribution of ostracods between the Subtropical Convergence and Antarctic Divergence has been studied from the example of materials from the Australian–New Zealand sector of the Southern Ocean. The biogeographical structure of ostracod fauna has been revealed in the Subantarctic and Antarctic. Species-indicators have been distinguished for Antarctic and Subantarctic waters.     

In Celebration of the Publication of a New Mycological Journal from Jilin,China

The 2 4thvolumeofJOURNALOFJILINAGRICULTURALUNIVERSITYwaspublishedinFebruary 2 0 0 2asmemorialissueofthelateProf.ZHOUZong huangatJilinAgriculturalUniversity .Inthisissueatotalof34myco logicalandphytopathologicalpaperswasreported ,aswellasadetailedintroductiontothescientificcareerandachievementsofProf.ZHOU .ThetopicsandtitlesofthepapersherewellrepresentrecenttrendsandprogressinthesefieldsofstudyinChina .MycologistsinAsiahavebeenconcernedwithmycologicalinformationfromChina .…     

A new sorediate,fumarprotocetraric acid‐producing lichen species of Menegazzia (Parmeliaceae,Ascomycota) from New Zealand

A new sorediate lichen, Menegazzia hypernota Bjerke, is described from New Zealand. This new species is characterised by convex, crescent‐shaped to fabi‐form soralia that are occasionally associated with perforations; apothecia with 2‐spored asci; the small perforations; the numerous secondary lobules; the presence of inconspicuous, yellow spots in the internal cavity; and fumarprotocetraric acid as principal medullary constituent. Menegazzia caliginosa, a species associated with M. hypernota, is reported for the first time from the Auckland Islands.     

The Gracilariaceae Germplasm Bank of the University of São Paulo,Brazil—a DNA barcoding approach

The University of São Paulo Gracilariaceae Germplasm Bank has 50 strains collected mostly in Brazil, but also elsewhere in the world. This bank has been used as a source of material for research developed locally and abroad. With over 200 species, some of which have high economic value, the family Gracilariaceae has been extensively studied. Nonetheless, taxonomic problems still persist by the existence of cryptic species, phenotypic plasticity, and broad geographic distribution. In the case of algae kept in culture for long periods of time, the identification is even more problematic as a consequence of considerable morphological modification. Thus, the use of molecular markers has been shown to be an efficient tool to elucidate taxonomic issues in the group. In this work, we sequenced the 5′-end of the cox1 gene for 41 strains and the universal plastid amplicon (UPA) plastid region for 45 strains, covering all 50 strains in the bank. In addition, the rbcL for representatives of the cox1/UPA clusters was sequenced for 14 strains. The original species identification based on morphology was compared with the molecular data obtained in this work, resulting in the identification of 13 different species. Our analyses indicate that cox1 and UPA are suitable markers for the delineation of species of Gracilariales in the germplasm bank. The addition of DNA barcode tags to the samples in the Gracilariaceae germplasm bank and the molecular identification of the species will make this bank even more useful for future research as the species can be easily traced and confirmed.     

Agars from three species of Gracilaria (Rhodophyta) from Yucatán Peninsula

Gracilaria cervicornis, Gracilaria blodgettii and Gracilaria crassissima growing along the coasts of Yucatán were investigated for their agar content. The effect of different concentrations of NaOH in the alkali treatment was evaluated. The three species of Gracilaria produced agars, both native and alkali treated, with different properties confirming the heterogeneity of the agar polymers in this genera. G. cervicornis produces agar polymers with an occurrence of methoxylation and sulphation at the C-6 of the beta-D-galactose residues, and with an extra methylation due to the presence of the 4-O-methyl-alpha-L-galactose residue. The presences of these residues is responsible for the extremely poor gelling ability of its agarocolloids, whose commercial value seems to be quite low. Agar extracts from G. blodgettii showed the typical pattern of unsubstituted agar with a very low degree of methylation on both galactose residues. The discrepancy found between sulphate content and NMR data of agar from this species requires a more detailed structural investigation. G. crassissima produces a good quality agar after sulphate precursor sequences have been removed by alkaline treatment, and it may be considered for exploitation as a source of commercial grade agar. Alkali treatment was effective both in removing alkali-labile sulphate and increasing the gel strength in G. crassissima but not in G. cervicornis and G. blodgettii.     

Growth of opossums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in the Orongorongo Valley,Wellington, New Zealand, 1953–61

The growth of pouch young and juvenile Trichosurus vulpecula to maturity is described, based on animals gin‐trapped in 800 ha of indigenous forest in the Orongorongo Valley, near Wellington. Commencing in March 1953 opossums were trapped continuously for 1 year, and then intermittently until 1961. Four ageing criteria were considered: ossification of limb epiphyses and development of cranial ridges were unreliable; tooth wear and closure of the spheno‐occipital skull sutures were more satisfactory, and were adopted. For the first 180 days the mean growth followed a rectilinear regression when size, expressed as cube root of weight, was plotted against age. Thereafter growth accelerated greatly, but steadied towards the end of the first year; its rate increased after several months, and ceased at 2 to 21/2 years. Though adult males (2.65 kg) and females (2.41 kg) differed significantly in weight, there was no detectable difference during the growth phase. Births occurred throughout the year, but were markedly seasonal, 86% occurring between mid March and the end of May. A secondary birth peak in spring, recorded in other areas, was barely apparent. Most young consequently grew fastest in their first spring and summer. The growth pattern appeared to be mainly dependent on age rather than season_^ since all young reared in captivity conformed, irrespective of the season of birth.     

Nothofagus subgenus Brassospora (Nothofagaceae) leaf fossils from New Zealand: a link to Australia and New Guinea?

N othofagus palustris sp. nov. is the first record of well‐preserved leaves of Nothofagus subgenus Brassospora in New Zealand, and is described from an Oligo–Miocene leaf bed in the Gore Lignite Measures of the South Island. Nothofagus palustris is represented by relatively small and variably toothed leaves with cuticular remains that possess all the characteristic features of the subgenus, including the presence of variably sized stomata that are randomly arranged within areoles, hydathodes along the major veins and ‘bulging cells’ within the areoles on the adaxial side. Phylogenetic assessment shows that the leaves are similar to those of Australian Oligocene and Miocene species and may belong to the same clade of Brassospora. Most notably, these species share the derived feature of abundant leaf wax, a feature that is now only well developed in two New Guinean species. This and other evidence allows the possibility that the ancestor of N. palustris reached New Zealand from Australia. However, it is improbable that N. palustris or a similar species was the common ancestor of the clade of Brassospora that is now confined to New Caledonia. Ecologically, N. palustris is unusual among extant and previously described macrofossil species of Brassospora in being found in a relatively open, swampy habitat. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 174 , 503–515.