The melectine bee genera Brachymelecta and Sinomelecta (Hymenoptera,Apidae)

The enigmatic, cleptoparasitic bee genera Brachymelecta Linsley and Sinomelecta Baker (Apinae: Melectini) are redescribed, each represented by a single species which has not been reencountered since capture of the type series ca. 1878 and 1900, respectively. Both genera are the only melectines to possess two submarginal cells in the forewing but are otherwise wholly dissimilar. Brachymelecta mucida (Cresson), a species known only from the male holotype collected in “Nevada”, is newly described and figured, including the first account of the hidden sterna and genitalia. Sinomelecta oreina Baker is similarly described and figured based on the holotype male and paratype female, apparently collected from the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Both genera are valid and from the available data do not appear to represent merely autapomorphic forms of Melecta Latreille. Indeed, the terminalia of Sinomelecta oreina are in some respects more similar to those of species of Thyreus Panzer.     

A revision of the New World species of Gymnoclasiopa Hendel (Diptera,Ephydridae)

Species of the shore-fly genus Gymnoclasiopa Hendel from the New World are revised, including Gymnoclasiopa grecorum sp. n. (Alaska. Juneau: Gastineau Channel, Thane Road (S Juneau; 58°16.9''N, 134°22.4''W)) and Gymnoclasiopa matanuska sp. n. (Alaska. Matanuska-Susitna: Palmer (Matanuska River; 61°36.5''N, 149°04.1''W)). We also clarify the status of previously described species, including those now discovered to have Holarctic distributions and/or for which sexual dimorphism was not appreciated and the species was described twice, including Gymnoclasiopa montana (Cresson) as a syn. n. of Gymnoclasiopa bohemanni (Becker). Two species, Gymnoclasiopa bella (Mathis), comb. n., and Gymnoclasiopa chiapas (Mathis), comb. n., are transferred from Ditrichophora to Gymnoclasiopa, and Gymnoclasiopa cana Cresson stat. rev. and Ditrichophora canifrons Cresson, stat. rev. are returned to Ditrichophora, the genus in which Cresson originally described them. A neotype is designated for Gymnoclasiopa tacoma to stabilize the nomenclature of this species. The two excluded species, Ditrichophora cana and Ditrichophora canifrons, are diagnosed and distributional data are also provided. For all known New World species of Gymnoclasiopa, structures of the male terminalia are described for the first time and are fully illustrated. Detailed locality data and distribution maps are also included. To provide context and also to facilitate identification, diagnoses are included for the tribe Discocerinini and genus in addition to a key to the genera and species occurring in the New World.     

SPECIES PHYLOGENY OF COSMARIUM AND STAURASTRUM (DESMIDIACEAE) BASED ON RBC L SEQUENCES

Cosmarium and Staurastrum are the two most diverse genera of placoderm desmids (Family Desmidiaceae), with approximately 1100 and 800 species, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of relationships of species has been extremely difficult. In a monograph of North American placoderm desmids, Prescott et al. described early phylogenetic work that concluded Staurastrum to be polyphyletic and certainly polymorphic. Likewise, Cosmarium has also been viewed as polyphyletic, and a number of workers have proposed splitting these genera. The classical view of West and West grouped species within each genus into two divisions and 6–8 sections based on wall features and semicell shape. We sequenced rbc L from 18 species of Cosmarium (2 divisions, 7 sections) and 12 species of Staurastrum (2 divisions and 7 sections) and performed a phylogenetic analysis (parsimony, maximum likelihood, bootstrap) using other placoderm desmids and Zygnematales as outgroups. The results exhibit little support for the monophyly of sections or divisions of the two genera. Furthermore, although there is support for the monophyly of clades within each genus, there is also support for a separate clade containing species from both genera.     

甘肃麦积山风景名胜区土壤肉鞭虫群落特征

用"非淹没培养皿法"和活体观察法对甘肃麦积山风景名胜区土壤肉鞭虫群落特征进行了研究。共鉴定到肉鞭虫90种,其中包括5个未定名种和29个国内新纪录种,隶属于2亚门5纲14目27科46属。结果表明,风景名胜区土壤肉鞭虫群落物种丰富,特有和稀有物种繁多,群落结构复杂,物种组成具有独特性;物种分布呈现高度的空间异质性;土壤和水生肉鞭虫群落物种组成极不相似,土壤和水生肉鞭虫群落是不同的2个独立群落。     

Pears and persimmons: A comparison of temperate forests in Europe and eastern North America

Major dimensions of ecological segregation of tree species in cool temperate Europe and E North America appear related to (a) soil pH, (b) large scale ‘succession’ including topographic sequences of changing moisture stress, and (c) intolerance versus tolerance of canopy competition as involved in ‘gap-phase’ dynamics. Genera tend to have similar average positions along these dimensions in the two subcontinents. E North American genera that were probably never present in Europe, and the few opposites, tend to be southern and are concentrated on dry or basic soil. The cause of this trend may involve the isolated expansions of dry climatic areas since the early Tertiary. E North American genera that became extinct in Europe after the mid-Pliocene are typical of habitat intermediate between dry-acid and moist-basic, though generally more moist-acid than dry-basic. These genera also have few species and little overall habitat width. Severe restrictions of their habitats may have occurred. Also, difficulties of migration to and from refugia are suggested by the generally heavier seed of extinet genera and those with strongly southern ranges in Europe or with few species compared to E North America. This relationship is apparent within small winged, medium fleshy and large nutty fruit classes. However, there is little difference in geographic restriction between these classes. Carpinus, Alnus, Corylus, Taxus, Pyrus and Sorbus reach 100–1000% greater height in Europe. There are no opposing differences of this magnitude. These trees may be ecological substitutes for extinct Liriodendron, Liquidambar, Carya, Tsuga + Thuja, Diospyros, and a group with smaller fleshy fruits, respectively. There are other intrageneric differences in height, seed weight, niche width, longevity, etc., that deserve further attention.     

小腹茧蜂亚科的雄外生殖器及族级单元系统发育的研究

对分布在东洋区和古北区的小腹茧蜂亚科 (膜翅目: 茧蜂科)21个属的67个种及外群折脉茧蜂属 (膜翅目: 茧蜂科) 2个种的雄外生殖器的5个性状进行了比较研究。在形态学研究的基础上,通过选用头部、胸部和腹部(包括雌雄外生殖器的性状) 等34个性状,运用支序分析的方法探讨了分布在东洋区和古北区的小腹茧蜂亚科21个属以及它们所属的族间的系统发育关系,并对Mason (1981) 的分类系统进行了重新评价。雄外生殖器和支序分析基本上证实并恢复了由Mason (1981) 确定的2个主要分支,即绒茧蜂族Apantelini+小腹茧蜂族Microgastrini和拱茧蜂族Fornicini+盘绒茧蜂族Cotesiini+侧沟茧蜂族MicroplitinI。绒茧蜂族Apantelini、拱茧蜂族Fornicini和侧沟茧蜂族Microplitini为单系群也被支持,但小腹茧蜂族Microgastrini和盘绒茧蜂族Cotesiini是否为单系群尚难于在树形图中体现,而且族内各属间的分支关系有变动。因此,尽管Mason的族级分类单元有一些欠缺,但仍是可信、实用的,不同意Walker等 (1990) 认为不应再使用Mason分族系统的观点。     

庐山蕨类植物区系研究

庐山共有蕨类植物39科87属247种(含变种、变型),其区系带有热带和温带双重性。其中鳞毛蕨科、水龙骨科、蹄盖蕨科、金星蕨科和铁角蕨科属种优势明显,共有38属160种,分别占总属数的43.7%和种数的64.8%,代表了该地区蕨类植物区系的一个重要特征。该区区系地理成分复杂,相互交错,其中热带性属占总属数的64.2%,温带性属占总属数的35.8%。东亚成分在该区系占有绝对优势,共有14属,占总属数的20.9%,中国特有属缺乏,特有种丰富,表明成分具有多样性并具有热带亲缘性,是亚热带向北温带的过渡地区。该区与井冈山、武夷山关系密切,与鼎湖山、秦岭和横断山关系疏远。     

Phylogenetic structure of the marsupial family dasyuridae based on cytochromeb DNA sequences

Archer provided the most recent and comprehensive suprageneric classification of dasyurid marsupials. Five extant subfamilies, two with constituent tribes, were recognized on the basis of morphological, serological, and allozyme data. Phylogenetic relationships among these groups, however, were totally unresolved. Subsequent molecular studies suggested that the endemic New Guinean subfamilies Muricinae and Phascolosoricinae are parts of larger Australian clades. Our objective in this study was to test the monophyly of Archer's seven groups and estimate relationships among them using DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochromeb (cyt-b) gene. We report 657 bp ofcyt-b from 32 dasyuroid species. Phylogenetic analysis of these data leads to the following conclusions: (1) muricines form a clade within Phascogalinae that includes endemic New GuineanAntechinus species; (2) the two genera of Phascolosoricinae are part of a more inclusive Dasyurinae; (3) Sminthopsinae is monophyletic, but the tribes Sminthopsini and Planigalini are not; and (4) the dasyurine tribes Dasyurini and Parantechini are probably not monophyletic. Relationships among Sminthopsinae, Dasyurinae (including phascolosoricines), and Phascogalinae (including muricines) remain unresolved.     

铜仁市万山特区木本植物区系研究

经野外调查统计,铜仁市万山特区共有木本植物82科216属495种（包括种下等级,下同）。其中,裸子植物5科6属7种;被子植物77科210属488种,包括单子叶植物3科7属17种,双子叶植物74科203属471种。区系分析结果表明：（1）区系地理成分复杂多样,温带性质明显,同时与热带区系联系紧密;（2）区系性质具有原始性,有古老和孑遗类群;（3）特有现象明显,表现为中国特有种数量较多;（4）与邻近6个地区的木本植物区系比较可知,万山特区与重庆大木山关系密切,与泸沽湖较疏远。     

浙江种子植物物种编目

生物多样性的编目和分类以及生物多样性监测是全球生物多样性研究的两个核心内容。物种编目是了解物种多样性的基础, 只有掌握物种分布格局及物种与环境的关系, 才能为物种监测和科学管理提供依据。作为浙江种子植物研究的“家底”, 本文在《浙江植物志(新编)》编研的基础上, 系统整理了浙江种子植物的物种名录。结果显示, 浙江共有种子植物212科1,469属4,430种, 其中野生植物有190科1,085属3,347种。所含种数多于100种的科有禾本科(285种)、莎草科(216种)、菊科(186种)、蔷薇科(153种)、兰科(126种)、蝶形花科(109种)和唇形科(108种); 含20种以上的属有15属, 包括薹草属(Carex, 126种)、刚竹属(Phyllostachys, 44种)、悬钩子属(Rubus, 44种)、冬青属(Ilex, 35种)、蓼属(Polygonum, 34种)、珍珠菜属(Lysimachia, 32种)、铁线莲属(Clematis, 31种)、景天属(Sedum, 28种)、槭属(Acer, 26种)、荚蒾属(Viburnum, 26种)、飘拂草属(Fimbristylis, 26种)、蒿属(Artemisia, 25种)、堇菜属(Viola, 22种)、葡萄属(Vitis, 21种)和山矾属(Symplocos, 21种)。其区系特点主要反映在: 物种丰富, 其科属组成多样; 保存了较多古老孑遗植物; 地理成分多样, 联系广泛, 由热带向温带过渡; 中国特有科2科、中国特有属45属、浙江(准)特有种近500种(含亚种和变种), 珍稀濒危植物丰富, 96种为国家重点保护植物; 外来植物多, 入侵风险大, 有些种已形成明显的危害。     

Comparative Genomics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bifidobacterium</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus</Emphasis> and Related Probiotic Genera

Six bacterial genera containing species commonly used as probiotics for human consumption or starter cultures for food fermentation were compared and contrasted, based on publicly available complete genome sequences. The analysis included 19 Bifidobacterium genomes, 21 Lactobacillus genomes, 4 Lactococcus and 3 Leuconostoc genomes, as well as a selection of Enterococcus (11) and Streptococcus (23) genomes. The latter two genera included genomes from probiotic or commensal as well as pathogenic organisms to investigate if their non-pathogenic members shared more genes with the other probiotic genomes than their pathogenic members. The pan- and core genome of each genus was defined. Pairwise BLASTP genome comparison was performed within and between genera. It turned out that pathogenic Streptococcus and Enterococcus shared more gene families than did the non-pathogenic genomes. In silico multilocus sequence typing was carried out for all genomes per genus, and the variable gene content of genomes was compared within the genera. Informative BLAST Atlases were constructed to visualize genomic variation within genera. The clusters of orthologous groups (COG) classes of all genes in the pan- and core genome of each genus were compared. In addition, it was investigated whether pathogenic genomes contain different COG classes compared to the probiotic or fermentative organisms, again comparing their pan- and core genomes. The obtained results were compared with published data from the literature. This study illustrates how over 80 genomes can be broadly compared using simple bioinformatic tools, leading to both confirmation of known information as well as novel observations.     

Thysanoptera-Terebrantia of the Hawaiian Islands: an identification manual

An illustrated identification system is presented to 99 species and 49 genera in three families recorded from the Hawaiian Islands in the Thysanoptera suborder Terebrantia. Only seven (possibly eight) of these species are considered endemic, the remainder being adventive to these islands. The only previous study of Hawaiian Thysanoptera, by Zimmerman in 1948, included 47 Terebrantia species in 21 genera.     

Phylogeny and taxonomy of European funnel‐web spiders of the Tegenaria−Malthonica complex (Araneae: Agelenidae) based upon morphological and molecular data

The taxonomy and systematics of European house spiders, currently constituting the ill‐defined Tegenaria?Malthonica complex (including Aterigena) in the family Agelenidae, are revised. In Europe four monophyletic genera and 81 species are defined. One genus, Eratigena gen. nov. , and seven species are described as new; at species level 17 new synonyms and 20 new combinations are proposed, and the original combination of 14 species is reinstated. Five species could not be placed (incertae sedis) because of insufficient material and one taxon is regarded as ‘nomen dubium’. On the basis of a detailed morphological assessment, 88 characters were chosen for a cladistic analysis. Phylogenetically informative characters include mostly spination patterns as well as spinneret and genital structures. In addition to morphology, three gene sections [cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (NADH1) 28S] were analysed. Morphological and molecular analyses were performed individually and in combination applying maximum parsimony and Bayesian tree search methods. In all resulting trees Malthonica and Tegenaria in their present composition are either polyphyletic or paraphyletic. Consequently, we redefined the two genera and erected a new genus, Eratigena gen. nov. Identification keys are provided for the European agelenid genera as well as for the European species of Tegenaria and Eratigena gen. nov. The genera and most of the constituent species are described and illustrated. The new classification has also been applied to some extra European members of the Tegenaria‐Malthonica complex resulting in additional three new synonyms, seven reversals to the original combination, and four new combinations. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

A morphological and molecular assessment of the genus Prionitis J. Agardh (Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta)

A critical reassessment of the morphological features of two closely related red algal genera, Grateloupia C. Agardh and Prionitis J. Agardh (Halymeniaceae), shows that members of the two genera share very similar reproductive (including the Grateloupia‐type auxiliary‐cell ampullae) and vegetative characters. Diagnostic features hitherto used for distinguishing these two genera, the texture of blades (lubricous to leathery in Grateloupia vs cartilaginous in Prionitis) and the position of reproductive structures (scattered over the entire blade in Grateloupia vs confined to particular portions of the blade in Prionitis), are continuous across some 75 species of both genera, thus making it difficult to draw a clear‐cut distinction between the two genera. In ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase gene (rbcL) sequence analyses, the species of Grateloupia and Prionitis, including the two generitypes, constitute a large monophyletic clade in the Halymeniaceae. It is therefore proposed that Prionitis be included in the synonymy under Grateloupia and the appropriate combinations are proposed.     

The antiquity of Madagascar’s grasslands and the rise of C4 grassy biomes

Aim Grasslands and savannas, which make up > 75% of Madagascar’s land area, have long been viewed as anthropogenically derived after people settled on the island c. 2 ka. We investigated this hypothesis and an alternative – that the grasslands are an insular example of the post‐Miocene spread of C₄ grassy biomes world‐wide. Location Madagascar, southern Africa, East Africa. Methods We compared the number of C₄ grass genera in Madagascar with that in southern and south‐central African floras. If the grasslands are recent we would expect to find fewer species and genera in Madagascar relative to Africa and for these species and genera to have very wide distribution ranges in Madagascar. Secondly, we searched Madagascan floras for the presence of endemic plant species or genera restricted to grasslands. We also searched for evidence of a grassland specialist fauna with species endemic to Madagascar. Plant and animal species endemic to C₄ grassy biomes would not be expected if these are of recent origin. Results Madagascar has c. 88 C₄ grass genera, including six endemic genera. Excluding African genera with only one or two species, Madagascar has 86.6% of southern Africa’s and 89.4% of south‐central Africa’s grass genera. C₄ grass species make up c. 4% of the flora of both Madagascar and southern Africa and species : genus ratios are similar (4.3 and 5.1, respectively). Turnover of grasses along geographical gradients follows similar patterns to those in South Africa, with Andropogoneae dominating in mesic biomes and Chlorideae in semi‐arid grassy biomes. At least 16 monocot genera have grassland members, many of which are endemic to Madagascar. Woody species in frequently burnt savannas include both Madagascan endemics and African species. A different woody flora, mostly endemic, occurs in less frequently burnt grasslands in the central highlands, filling a similar successional niche to montane C₄ grasslands in Africa. Diverse vertebrate and invertebrate lineages have grassland specialists, including many endemic to Madagascar (e.g. termites, ants, lizards, snakes, birds and mammals). Grassland use of the extinct fauna is poorly known but carbon isotope analysis indicates that a hippo, two giant tortoises and one extinct lemur ate C₄ or CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) plants. Main conclusions The diversity of C₄ grass lineages in Madagascar relative to that in Africa, and the presence of plant and animal species endemic to Madagascan grassy biomes, does not fit the view that these grasslands are anthropogenically derived. We suggest that grasslands invaded Madagascar after the late Miocene, part of the world‐wide expansion of C₄ grassy biomes. Madagascar provides an interesting test case for biogeographical analysis of how these novel biomes assembled, and the sources of the flora and fauna that now occupy them. A necessary part of such an analysis would be to establish the pre‐settlement extent of the C₄ grassy biomes. Carbon isotope analysis of soil organic matter would be a feasible method for doing this.     

Phylogenetics of the speciose and chromosomally variable rodent genus Ctenomys (Ctenomyidae, Octodontoidea), based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences

The tuco-tucos [Ctenomys) are subterranean rodents that are widespread in southern South America. On the basis of its 60 living species, Ctenomys is one of the most speciose mammalian genera and displays great chromosomal variation. In order to study the mode of speciation in Ctenomys and to evaluate the role of chromosomes in cladogenesis, it is essential to generate an accurate phylogeny of the genus. From such a phylogeny it should be possible to identify particular species lineages worthy of further study. Following the success in 1998 of Lessa & Cook in generating a phylogeny of 10, mostly Bolivian, species from mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences, we sequenced a further 18, mostly Argentinian, species. By combining our datasi't with that of Lcssa & Cook's we were able to confirm six species lineages within Ctenomys. These lineages correspond well to taxonomic groups suggested on the basis of morphology and biogeographv. At least two of the species groups (the Boliviano-Matogrossense and Chaco) arc very variable chromosomally, and are worthwhile systems to examine the possibility of chromosomal spec iation. While, in general, multiple specimens of the named species did form monophyletic groups on the basis of the cytochrome b analysis, there were some exceptions. Thus, C. bergi and C yolandae did not form separate clades in the phylogenetic analysis, nor did C. roigi and C. dorbignyi. The molecular analysis was also very informative with regards species designations for C. boliviensis and related forms.     

大历山植物区系分析及珍稀濒危保护植物

安徽省大历山有维管束植物1151种(包括变种、栽培种),隶属579属154科,其中蕨类植物28科56属103种;裸子植物5科6属8种;被子植物121科517属1040种。本文主要分析大历山植物区系特征及珍稀濒危保护植物。