Morphological variation inLolium (Poaceae) as a measure of species relationships

Analysis of morphological and phenological data for determining the genetic variation within sevenLolium species led to the recognition of two groups within this genus. One group, containing the two inbreeding speciesL. temulentum andL. persicum, was clearly distinct from all other species. Strong morphological and phenological intergradation was found between both species. The cross-breeding species,L. perenne, L. rigidum, andL. multiflorum, formed another group. Little differentiation was found between these species, though they were distinct. Two inbreeding species,L. loliaceum andL. remotum, were clearly distinct from each other and the two groups.L. loliaceum had an isolated position and was most related toL. rigidum. L. remotum had an intermediate position between the cross-breeding and inbreeding species, and was almost equally distant from all three cross-breeding species.Genetic variation inLolium spp. I.     

Latitudinal variation in thermal reaction norms of post‐winter pupal development in two butterflies differing in phenological specialization

Latitudinal clines in thermal reaction norms of development are a common phenomenon in temperate insects. Populations from higher latitudes often develop faster throughout the range of relevant temperatures (i.e countergradient variation) because they must be able to complete their life cycle within a shorter seasonal time window compared to populations at lower latitudes. In the present study, we experimentally demonstrate that two species of butterflies Anthocharis cardamines (L.) and Pieris napi (L.) instead show a cogradient variation in thermal reaction norms of post‐winter pupal development so that lower latitude populations develop faster than higher latitude populations. The two species share host plants but differ in the degree of phenological specialization, as well as in the patterns of voltinism. We suggest that the pattern in A. cardamines, a univoltine phenological specialist feeding exclusively on flowers and seedpods, is the result of selection for matching to the phenological pattern of its local host plants. The other species, P. napi, is a phenological generalist feeding on the leaves of the hosts and it shows a latitudinal cline in voltinism. Because the latitudinal pattern in P. napi was an effect of slow development in a fraction of the pupae from the most northern population, we hypothesize that this population may include both bivoltine and univoltine genotypes. Consequently, although the two species both showed cogradient patterns in thermal reaction norms, it appears likely that this was for different reasons. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 113 , 981–991.     

Instar sizes,life cycles,and food habits of five Rhyacophila (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) species from the Appalachian Mountains of South Carolina,U.S.A.

The larval head widths at each instar, life cycles, and food habits of late instars were determined for five species of Rhyacophila from two Appalachian mountain streams in South Carolina, U.S.A. Rhyacophila acutiloba Morse & Ross was univoltine with two cohorts, one emerging in the spring and another presumably emerging in early autumn. Rhyacophila fuscula (Walker), R. nigrita Banks, and R. carolina Banks were apparently multicohort, univoltine species with extended flight periods. Rhyacophila minor Banks was univoltine with a spring emergence. All species were predaceous and consumed mainly Plecoptera nymphs and Trichoptera larvae.     

Food preferences of tanypodinae larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Analyses of the gut contents of larvae of three species of Tanypodinae, collected from four sites in north-east England and Scotland, invariably showed small particles (1–10 µm²), predominantly of detritus, to be more abundant than large particles (10–100 µm²), mostly algae and diatoms. No animal remains, such as carapaces, head capsules and chaetae, or vascular plant fragments were found in any of the intestines. In contrast, food-choice and growth experiments suggested that animal food (particularly Tubificidae and Chironominae larvae) was important in the tanypod diet. In the food-choice experiments, six different foods offered to small (4–7 mm long) and to large (8–12 mm long) larvae of Procladius choreus Meigen, were chosen in the following order: live Tubificidae spp.; detritus; live Chironominae larvae; a mixture of algae and diatoms; live Ostracoda spp.; and live Cladocera spp. However, when the results of the individual choices were examined, it was clear that the small larvae had consumed greater amounts of the small types of food (i.e. detritus, algae and diatoms) in comparison to the large larvae. In the growth experiment, those larvae of P. choreus reared solely on Tubificidae, detritus or Chironominae larvae thrived, while those fed on algae and diatoms, ostracods or cladocerans grew more slowly and fewer survived the experimental period.It was concluded that although Tanypodinae larvae are primarily predators with definite food preferences in ideal foraging conditions, in adverse conditions they will utilize a range of available stand-by foods, the most important of which appears to be detritus.     

Host range ofPachycerus cordiger (=P. Scabrosus) (Col.: Curculionidae)

The univoltine weevilPachycerus cordiger Germar (=P. scabrosus Brullé) completes its life cycle on species of Boraginaceae, it is found from western Europe to the Middle East. In southern France, adultP. cordiger were collected feeding on the leaves ofHeliotropium europaeum L.,Echium vulgare L. andCynoglossum creticum Miller, whereas larvae were found feeding externally on the roots of the three plant species from within an earthen cell. BecauseP. cordiger is considered too much of a generalist to be released in Australia, work on the weevil as a potential biological control agent ofH. europaeum has been stopped.     

A new pollen type,C-banded and fluorochrome counterstained chromosomes,and evolution inGuatteria and related genera (Annonaceae)

Guatteria, Guatteriopsis, Guatteriella andHeteropetalum share the same conspicuous pollen type which is new for theSpermatophyta. It is zonoaperturate with a folded aperture region and an extremely reduced exine. First chromosome counts and karyotype analyses forGuatteriopsis (4 species investigated) andGuatteriella (1 species) are identical with those ofGuatteria (19 species seen): 2n = 28. The genome is characterized by diploidization and partly telocentric chromosomes. Sequentially Giemsa C- and fluorochrome banded chromosomes and interphase nuclei are described. The cuticular folding pattern is distinct forHeteropetalum only. Growth forms and ecology are reported for many species. The evolutionary pattern of theGuatteria group is discussed and compared with other genera and families.     

Patterns of provisioning and iteroparity in a solitary halictine bee,Lasioglossum (Evylaeus) fratellum (Perez), with notes onL. (E.) calceatum (Scop.) andL. (E.) villosulum (K.)

Summary On Dartmoor, UK the temperate halictine beeLasioglossum (Evylaeus) fratellum is solitary and univoltine. A significant proportion of individually marked foundresses reproduce during two different seasons (iteroparity). This could represent a form of risk-spreading in environments where conditions are harsh and unpredictable. Perhaps associated with iteroparity, foundresses put in relatively low reproductive effort, often failing to provision their nests on suitable days, despite the small number of days available on Dartmoor. Foundresses stopped provisioning asynchronously, then remained in their nests until well after offspring emergence. There was a small proportion of digynous nests, in which nest-sharing appeared to be temporary.L. (E.) calceatum had a similar life-cycle on Dartmoor.L. villosulum was also solitary, and was able to provision its nests under less favourable weather conditions than the other two species. Information is also provided on nest productivity andSphecodes parasites.     

Ocellar fine structure inCaenis robusta (Ephemeroptera), Trichostegia minor,Agrypnia varia,andLimnephilus flavicornis (Trichoptera)

Summary Three dorsal ocelli are present inCaenis robusta (Ephemeroptera), Trichostegia minor, Agrypnia varia, andLimnephilus flavicornis (Trichoptera). The dioptric apparatus of the ocelli differs between the four species. InTrichostegia andAgrypnia a biconvex corneal lens is present, inLimnephilus the corneal lens is convexo-concave complemented by an underlying haemocoelic space, whereas a cellular vitreous body is found between the cuticle and the retinal layer in the ephemerid. In the three trichopteroid species the ocelli are surrounded by an array of longitudinally arranged tracheoles; inCaenis a layer of screening pigments is found in this position. In this species the rhabdoms formed by microvilli of neighbouring retinula cells have a randomly arranged meshwork pattern; in the three trichopteroid species the rhabdoms are isolated, built up of four retinula cells. Cells with basally situated nuclei and lamellar extensions between the retinular cells are found in the ocelli ofTrichostegia, Agrypnia, andLimnephilus.     

A survey of C-band patterns in chromosomes ofLilium (Liliaceae)

C-band patterns are described for 20Lilium spp. distributed across six sections. All species have a similar basic karyotype (n = 12) but C-bands differ markedly between them. The patterns are characterized by a dispersed scattering of thin intercalary bands as well as centric and NOR bands. Only one species,L. canadense, shows a clear equilocal pattern with intercalary C-bands occurring proximally in all of the longer chromosome arms. Comparing species, similar patterns are revealed forL. regale andL. sulphureum, forL. formosanum andL. longiflorum (all in sect.Leucolirion) and to a lesser extent forL. hansonii, L. martagon, andL. tsingtauense (sect.Martagon). The pattern forL. henryi (previously classed in sect.Sinomartagon) matches those ofL. regale andL. sulphureum quite well and its transfer to sect.Leucolirion is proposed. This is consistent with results from interspecies hybrids betweenL. henryi andL. regale (and related species) which are reportedly fertile. No other clear similarities in C-band patterns were seen across species. It seems that C-band patterns change rapidly inLilium and hence their usefulness in classification will be restricted to identifying closely related species.Dedicated to Prof.D. G. Catcheside on the 80th anniversary of his birth.     

Limited polymorphism in two spittlebugs,Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus) and P. signatus Melichar (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), in island populations from Western Turkey

Two colour polymorphic spittlebug species, Philaenus spumarius and Philaenus signatus were recorded for the first time in Gökçeada, Turkey. Three non-melanic – POP (populi), TYP (typicus), and VIT (vittata) – and three melanic MAR – (marginellus), FLA (flavicollis), and LCE (leucocephalus) – colour/pattern phenotypes of P. signatus were found. Philaenus spumarius was represented only by POP and TYP, which are expressed by a single pigmentation allele. The other six alleles were absent on this island, although they are found in most populations throughout the world. Stochastic events such as random genetic drift may be the reason for shaping the polymorphism of these two sympatric species in Gökçeada. Thus, the absence of pigmentation alleles possibly indicates the founder effect.     

Live cycles,drift, and standing stocks of some stoneflies (Insecta: Plecoptera) from streams in Minnesota,U.S.A.

From analyses of monthly length frequency distributions of stonefly (Plecoptera) nymphs from stream riffles, two types of univoltine life cycles (Hynes 1961, classification) were observed: slow seasonal forIsoperla transmarina, Isoperla signata, Isogenoides olivaceus, andAllocapnia rickerii, and fast seasonal forProstoia similis. The Perlodidae stoneflies (Isoperla andIsogenoides) showed greatest propensities to drift near the end of their life cycles. Drift rates of the other two species of stoneflies were correlated to standing stock estimates.     

Morphometric analysis of the genusHemerocallis L. (Liliaceae) in Korea

To better understand the patterns of variability and distributions ofHemerocallis in Korea, 53 locations were visited and measurements of 19 morphological and phenological characters were taken on plants directly from their natural habitats. For morphometric analysis, 10 plants from each of 34 populations and five herbarium specimens ofH. middendorffii were used and the data from 12 quantitative characters was analyzed using univariate analysis. Except the littoral populations of Cheju, Hong, Taehuksan, and Sohuksan Islands (H. hongdoensis M. Chung & S. Kang), three peninsular KoreanHemerocallis species can be recognized mainly in South Korea:H. hakuunensis Nakai (=H. micrantha Nakai, growing on southern, central, and northwestern Korea);H. thunbergii Baker (=H. coreana Nakai, found on southeastern and central Korea); andH. middendorffii Tr. et Mey. (central and northeastern Korea). Morphological and phenological features contributing to recognition of the three groups were; color of perianth, shape of roots, shape of inflorescence, flowering time, odor, length of inflorescence, width of the lowest bracts, length of perianth tube enclosing a ovary, width of the inner perianth lobes. Natural hybridization seems to be rare in KoreanHemerocallis. It appears that the KoreanHemerocallis species are relatively well characterized by their distribution patterns, phenology, and habitats compared with the JapaneseHemerocallis species.     

Chironomidae (Diptera) of Baldwin Lake,Illinois, a cooling reservoir

The chironomid fauna of Baldwin Lake, a closed-cycle cooling reservoir for a power plant, was sampled monthly to semi-monthly for one year at four stations, two in the discharge channel and two in the main basin. Qualitative samples were also taken elsewhere and with multiple-plate samplers. Twenty-four species were collected. Annual mean population density was less than 100 larvae m^–2 in the channel, 1037 M^–2 in the main basin. Three species of Tanypodinae formed over 96 percent of the larval population in the main basin: Tanypus stellatus Coquillett, Procladius bellus (Loew), and Coelotanypus concinnus (Coquillett). The principal species on the multiple-plate samplers were Dicrotendipes nervosus (Staeger), Glyptotendipes lobiferus (Say), and Parachironomus monochromus (Wulp). Temperatures of 35°C or more in the channel virtually eliminated the chironomids, whereas temperatures up to 32°C in the main basin increased the number of generations of T. stellatus from the usual two to four at Station 3 and three at Station 4. Station 3 had almost 1,000 degree-days more heat than Station 4.     

Chrysosphaerella (Pseudochrysosphaerella)solitaria,spec. nova (Chrysophyceae)

A new unicellular species of the genusChrysosphaerella (Chrysophyceae) was found in fresh-water ponds in Switzerland, Japan, and the U.S.A. It is described asC. solitaria. The genus is divided into two subgenera:Chrysosphaerella, comprising the colonial species, andPseudochrysosphaerella, the unicellular ones.     

Study of the Insects Associated with the Floodwater Mosquito Ochlerotatus Albifasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) and their Possible Predators in Buenos Aires Province,Argentina

Insects associated with the floodwater mosquito Ochlerotatus albifasciatus(Diptera: Culicidae) were studied from intermittent puddles in temperate Argentina in an attempt to detect the main predators. Forty-one taxa occurred in the puddles from spring to fall. Coleoptera and Diptera were dominant and diverse. Ephemeroptera and Odonata were scarce in numbers and species, and Heteroptera occurred in low numbers of species and high abundance of individuals. The main predators of immature O. albifasciatus were detected on the basis of relative abundance (ISA index), ecological dominant groups, and species association (I index). Liodessus sp. and Rhantus signatus signatus(Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) were the most abundant predators in the puddles and Liodessus sp., Lancetes marginatus(Dytiscidae) and Psorophora ciliata(Culicidae) were the most frequent. Liodessus sp. and O. albifasciatus were the best associated species in all seasons. Liodessus sp. was indistinctly associated with all larval instars and pupae, while R. signatus signatus, L. marginatus and Psorophora ciliata were more associated with the pupal stage of the mosquito. Desmopachria concolor(Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), Tropisternus lateralis limbatus and Tropisternus setiger(Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) were other potential predators inhabiting the puddles, but their relevance was minor.     

Colonization and succession of macroinvertebrates in recently freshened Lake Volkerak-Zoom (The Netherlands)

Macroinvertebrates were studied during the first five years after closure and freshening of the lake system Volkerak-Zoom, two lakes interconnected by a channel. Before embankment, in 1987, these lakes were part of the tidal eastern Scheldt estuary in the south-western part of the Netherlands. Four months after embankment, the first freshwater species were found. In general, the colonization process followed the same pattern as was reported for newly created reservoirs. In Lake Volkerak-Zoom differences in colonization time were observed between distinguished depth zones. Within the chironomid assemblages, dominance of Chironomus muratensis was followed by a dominance of Procladius, Glyptotendipes and Cladotanytarsus. The succession was related to changes in phytoplankton concentrations. Although in 1991 changes in macrofauna composition were less pronounced as compared to previous years, succession was still going on.     

Untersuchungen über Parasiten des EichenwicklersTortrix viridana l. III. Zur Phänologie einiger wichtiger Parasiten

Summary The author compiled phenological data of 6Tortirx viridama-parasites from museum and private collections and diaries and constructed, on this base, phenology curves showing the appearances of the adults of each of these species. TheT. viridana parasites could, then, be classified according to the number of their annual generations. OnlyPhaeogenes invisor andGlypta bipunctoria are univoltine and synchronized withT. viridana. The other species are, at least optionally, plurivoltine and need, in this case, alternate hosts.

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Die Untersuchungen (I–III) wurden dankenswerterweise mit Hilfe der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bad Godesberg, durchgeführt.     

Evolution of genome size inAllium (Alliaceae)

The 4C DNA amounts of 86 species fromAllium subgg.Allium, Rhizirideum, Bromatorrhiza, Melanocrommyum, Caloscordum andAmerallium show a 8.35-fold difference ranging from 35.60 pg (A. ledebourianum, 2n = 16) to 297.13 pg (A. validum 2n = 56). At diploid level the difference is 3.57-fold betweenA. ledebourianum (35.60 pg) andA. ursinum (127.14 pg). This shows that a significant loss and/or gain of DNA has occurred during evolution. On average subgg.Rhizirideum andAllium have less DNA amount than subgg.Melanocrommyum andAmerallium. The distribution of nuclear DNA amounts does not show discontinuous pattern and regular groups. The evolution of genome size has been discussed in relation to polyploidy and genomes, heterochromatin, adaptive changes in morphological characteristics, phenology and ecological factors, and infrageneric classification.     

Intergeneric relationships ofLolium,Festuca, andVulpia (Poaceae) and their phylogeny

Morphological and seed protein analyses of 26 species of the generaLolium, Festuca andVulpia confirmed their close systematic affinities. Six inflorescence characters readily differentiatedFestuca fromLolium. Protein similarities betweenFestuca of sect.Bovinae and cross-pollinated species ofLolium, coupled with cytogenetic and crossability data, substantiate that they should be united into one genus.Vulpia had phenetic similarities with sect.Scariosae, Montanae andOvinae ofFestuca. Lolium, Festuca, andVulpia are most likely derived from a common ancestral form which was close toFestuca pratensis andLolium perenne.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the generaCladonia andCladina (Cladoniaceae, lichenizedAscomycota)

A cladistic analysis of 44 species of the generaCladina andCladonia is presented.Pycnothelia papillaria, Cladia aggregata andC. retipora were used as outgroup taxa. The consensus of all equally parsimonious trees suggests a common ancestral origin for species inCladonia andCladina while the generaPycnothelia andCladia cluster outside this group. The results do not support distinction ofCladina at genus level although it is distinguished as a monophyletic group but within the genusCladonia. The current sectional division ofCladonia is not supported. SectionsCocciferae andHelopodium are best supported but even these groups as currently delimited seem to in include elements that are more closely related to species of the other sections, e.g.C. carneola of sect.Cocciferae andC. pityrophylla of sect.Helopodium. Sections such asUnciales andPerviae seem to be artificial assemblages. In general the evolutionary scheme of the genus seems to be more complicated than revealed by the current sectional division.