Phylogenetic relationships of Cryphonectria and Endothia species, based on DNA sequence data and morphology

The fungal genera Endothia and Cryphonectria include some of the most important pathogens of forest trees. Despite available new technology, no comprehensive comparative study based on DNA sequence data and morphology has been done on the available isolates representing these two genera. The main objectives of this study were to assess the phylogenetic relationships among species of Cryphonectria and Endothia, for which cultures are available, and to establish a taxonomic framework based on DNA sequence and morphological data, which will aid future studies and identification of species in these and related genera. Comparisons were based on sequence variation found in the ITS region of the ribosomal RNA operon and two regions of the β-tu-bulin gene. In addition, the morphology of these species was examined. The phylogenetic data indicated that Endothia and Cryphonectria reside in two distinct phylogenetic clades. Cryphonectria parasitica, C. macrospora, C. nitschkei, C. eucalypti and C. radicalis represented the Cryphonectria clade. Endothia gyrosa and E. singularis were included in the Endothia clade. An isolate representing E. viridistroma grouped outside the Endothia clade and separately from other groups. Other clades outside the one encompassing Cryphonectria were those represented by the C. cubensis isolates and fungi isolated from Elaeocarpus dentatus originating from New Zealand. These clades could be distinguished from Endothia and Cryphonectria, based on anamorph morphology, stromatal structure and ascospore septation. Cryphonectria and Endothia, therefore, appear to be paraphyletic and taxonomic relationships for these fungi need to be revised.     

Two new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coltricia</Emphasis> (Hymenochaetaceae,Basidiomycota) from southern China based on evidence from morphology and DNA sequence data

Two new species of Coltricia, C. austrosinensis and C. minima, are described from southern China on the basis of morphological characters and molecular evidence. Phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and nuclear large subunit (nLSU) ribosomal RNA gene regions indicated that the two new species were nested within the Coltricia clade in Hymenochaetales. Coltricia austrosinensis is characterized by centrally stipitate basidiocarps, lobed pileal margin, distinctly swollen stipe tip, cinnamon pore surface, large pores (1–3 per mm), and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 8–10?×?5.5–6.5 μm, with a distribution to date in subtropical China. Coltricia minima is characterized by tiny, centrally stipitate basidiocarps, entire pileal margin, uniform stipe, pileus bearing distinct concentric zones and pore surface dark greyish blue when fresh, small pores (3–4 per mm), narrow tramal hyphae (3.5–4 μm), and broadly ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores measuring 6–7?×?4–5 μm, and occur in mixed tropical forests.     

Two new Neuratelia Rondani (Diptera,Mycetophilidae) species from Western Palaearctic: a case of limited congruence between morphology and DNA sequence data

Two new Mycetophilidae species, Neuratelia jabalmoussae sp. n. and Neuratelia salmelai sp. n. are described on the basis of material collected from Lebanon, Estonia and Finland. Detailed figures of male terminalia and photographs of general facies are provided along with discussions of their morphological distinction from sibling species. For the first time molecular characters are used to distinguish new fungus gnat species. Molecular analysis relies on cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI) but has additionally been corroborated by information from the 28S and ITS2 regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Situations where morphological and molecular data provide conflicting evidence for species delimitation are discussed. A new country record from Georgia is provided for Neuratelia caucasica.     

Phylogeny of ants (Formicidae) based on morphology and DNA sequence data

In order to reconstruct ants' phylogeny, we analysed DNA sequences for two nuclear genes, abdominal-A and Ultrabithorax, from 49 species of ants and two outgroups. As these genes control the development of the first segments of the abdomen in insects, which are very variable in ants (petiole, postpetiole, and gaster constriction), we hypothesized that the morphological variations between the subfamilies may be correlated with mutations of some abd-A or Ubx regions. Contrarily to our hypothesis, these sequences are highly conserved. The differences observed concern mainly third codon positions and present some saturation. Phylogenetic reconstructions were carried out using the genetic raw sequence data and by combining them with a set of morphological data (Total Evidence). Relations among subfamilies of ants remains poorly resolved with molecular data only, but adding these data to morphological characters confirms and reinforce the topology of : a Poneroid complex [Ponerinae, Cerapachyinae, Leptanillinae and army ants], a Formicoid complex [Dolichoderinae, Formicinae] and a Myrmecoid complex [Myrmicinae, Myrmeciinae, Pseudomyrmecinae, Nothomyrmeciinae]. Our molecular results allow resolution near the branch tips and three subfamilies (Dolichoderinae, Formicinae and Pseudomyrmecinae) always appear as monophyletic. The Formicinae and the Dolichoderinae have close relationships. The Camponotini appear as a strong clade inside the Formicinae. The Ponerinae are separated in two parts: the Ectatommini and all other tribes. The Cerapachyinae, Dorylinae, and Ecitoninae belong to the same clade, the Cerapachyinae being confirmed in their subfamily status. The Myrmicinae appears to be very heterogeneous, with the Attini forming a very stable and well-separated group.     

Two new Fomitopsis species from southern China based on morphological and molecular characters

Fomitopsis cana sp. nov. and F. subtropica sp. nov. are described from southern China based on morphological and molecular characters. Both species have annual, effused-reflexed basidiomata with several small imbricate pilei protruding from a large resupinate part. F. cana is characterized by its mouse-grey to dark grey basidiomata, pores 5–8 per mm, and small cylindrical to oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores (5–6.2?×?2.1–3 μm). F. subtropica is characterized by its white, cream, straw-yellow to more or less flesh-pink basidiomata which was easily separable from the substrate, smaller pores (6–9 per mm) and smaller basidiospores (3.2–4?×?1.8–2.1 μm), and presence of yellowish oil-like substances in trama. Phylogenetic analysis based on combined ITS and nLSU sequences suggest that the two new species belong in the Fomitopsis sensu stricto group within the Antrodia clade.     

Three new Lasiodiplodia spp. from the tropics, recognized based on DNA sequence comparisons and morphology

Botryosphaeria rhodina (anamorph Lasiodiplodia theobromae) is a common endophyte and opportunistic pathogen on more than 500 tree species in the tropics and subtropics. During routine disease surveys of plantations in Australia and Venezuela several isolates differing from L. theobromae were identified and subsequently characterized based upon morphology and ITS and EF1-alpha nucleotide sequences. These isolates grouped into three strongly supported clades related to but different from the known taxa, B. rhodina and L. gonubiensis, These have been described here as three new species L. venezuelensis sp. nov., L. crassispora sp. nov. and L. rubropurpurea sp. nov. The three could be distinguished easily from each other and the two described species of Lasiodiplodia, thus confirming phylogenetic separations. Furthermore all five Lasiodiplodia spp. now recognized separated from Diplodia spp. and Dothiorella spp. with 100% bootstrap support.     

Pythium abappressorium--a new species from eastern Washington

A new species of Pythium isolated from wheat and apple roots in eastern Washington is described. Pythium abappressorium sp. nov. is characterized by abundant appressoria. Plerotic oospores and sporangia are formed from the appressoria and remnants of the appressoria remain attached to the base of sporangia at maturity. Smaller appressorial swellings, reminiscent of hyphal swellings, are also formed within the appressoria. Pythium abappressorium is pathogenic to wheat, causing damping-off and stunting, but is not pathogenic to apples. The fungus can grow in the temperature range 5 to 30 C, with an optimum of 20 C. The sequence of the ITS1 region of the rDNA did not match the sequences from a worldwide collection of over 1200 isolates, including types and neotypes, suggesting that this species has not been previously described.     

A likelihood ratio test for species membership based on DNA sequence data

DNA barcoding as an approach for species identification is rapidly increasing in popularity. However, it remains unclear which statistical procedures should accompany the technique to provide a measure of uncertainty. Here we describe a likelihood ratio test which can be used to test if a sampled sequence is a member of an a priori specified species. We investigate the performance of the test using coalescence simulations, as well as using the real data from butterflies and frogs representing two kinds of challenge for DNA barcoding: extremely low and extremely high levels of sequence variability.     

A new non-zoosporic species of Pythium from Algeria

Pythium ramificatum n.sp. isolated from Algeria is described. It is a non-zoosporic fungus, reproducing asexually be means of hyphal bodies and sexually by oogonia with much branched antheridia. Its morphological and reproductive characters as well as it relationship with other species of Pythium of the same group are described.     

Delimiting species boundaries for endangered Canary Island grasshoppers based on DNA sequence data

Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I and nuclear ITS2 sequences were surveyed from Canary Islands threatened species of the genera Purpuraria and Acrostira (Orthoptera: Pamphagidae). Phylogenetic and population analyses show that the two previously recognized Purpuraria erna subspecies are not valid as conservation units, and that there is a new unrecognized species of Purpuraria, coincident with recently discovered morphological variation within the genus. In addition, mitochondrial introgression seems to occur between the two Purpuraria species in southwest Lanzarote. Species-delimitation based on the morphological taxonomy of Acrostira, which recognizes four single-island endemics, is only partially supported by the genetic data. It shows that currently admitted species from the central and western islands of Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma are closely related, with evidence of recent gene flow between the Tenerife and La Gomera populations. MtDNA variation also showed that A. euphorbiae, currently considered as the most critically endangered grasshopper species in the Canaries, has lower population diversity than its close relatives.     

中国伞形科两新种

本文记载了产于我国云南的亮蛇床属植物新种长萼亮蛇床和四川前胡属新种木里前胡。     

Two new species of Taeniolina from southern China

Taeniolina euryae sp. nov. and T. schimae sp. nov. were discovered on dead branches of Eurya macartneyi and Schima superba, respectively, in tropical forests of southern China. They are described, illustrated and compared with closely related taxa. A key to species of Taeniolina is provided.     

Two new species of Stemphylium from Northwest China

During surveys of hyphomycetes from the Northwest of China, two undescribed taxa of Stemphylium were discovered from diseased leaves of Malus sieversii and Pyrus sinkiangensis in Sinkiang Province, which are described as S. mali and S. pyrinum. The two species differ from similar species morphologically.     

Two new species of Ulocladium from Southwest China

Ulocladium subcucurbitae and U. brassicae are described and illustrated. These species were isolated from diseased leaves of Chenopodium glaucum and Brassica pekinensis from Guizhou and Yunnan provinces of China respectively.     

Phylogeny of Barnadesioideae (Asteraceae) inferred from DNA sequence data and morphology

Subfamily Barnadesioideae (Asteraceae) consists of nine genera and 91 species endemic to South America. They include annual and perennial herbs, arching shrubs and trees up to 30 m tall. Presumed sister to all other Asteraceae, its intergeneric relationships are key to understanding the early evolution of the family. Results of the only molecular study on the subfamily conflict with relationships inferred from morphology. We investigate inter- and intrageneric relationships in Barnadesioideae with novel DNA sequence data and morphological characters using parsimony, likelihood and Bayesian inference. All results verify Barnadesioideae as monophyletic and sister to the rest of the family. A basal split within the subfamily is recognized, with Chuquiraga, Doniophyton and Duseniella in one clade, and Arnaldoa, Barnadesia, Dasyphyllum, Fulcaldea, Huarpea and possibly Schlechtendalia in another. The largest genus, Dasyphyllum, is revealed as biphyletic with the two clades separating along subgeneric and geographic lines. Schlechtendalia, suggested as the earliest diverging lineage of the subfamily by morphological studies and parsimony analyses, is found in a more derived position under model-based inference methods. Competing phylogenetic hypotheses, both previous and present, are evaluated using likelihood-based tests. Evolutionary trends within Barnadesioideae are inferred: hummingbird pollination has developed convergently at least three times. An early vicariance in the subfamily’s distribution is revealed. X = 9 is supported as the ancestral base chromosome number for both Barnadesioideae and the family as a whole.     

Tuber latisporum sp. nov. and related taxa, based on morphology and DNA sequence data

A new species of white truffles, Tuber latisporum, is described from southwestern China. This species can be distinguished from other species in the genus by its white and pubescent ascomata, pseudoparenchymatous peridium and broadly ellipsoid ascospores with alveolate reticulum. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of this and morphologically similar species using ITS sequences demonstrated that it is significantly different from other white truffles such as T. borchii, T. puberulum, T. zhongdianense, T. liui, T. dryophilum, T. magnatum, T. rapaeodorum, T. foetidum and T. maculatum. Data from ITS sequences indicate that white and black truffles are not monophyletic lineages.     

DNA sequence incongruence and inconsistent morphology obscure species boundaries in the Teratosphaeria suttonii species complex

Teratosphaeria suttonii (=Kirramyces epicoccoides) is a leaf pathogen that can cause premature defoliation, reduced growth and vigor, and subsequent tree death of many Eucalyptus species. Although the fungus primarily infects mature leaves in the lower canopy, infections can spread to younger leaves during continued epidemics or when trees are stressed. Teratosphaeria suttonii has a wide distribution in Australia and has been introduced to many other parts of the world, most probably with germplasm used to establish plantations. The aim of this study was to establish the phylogenetic relationships between T. suttonii isolates from different countries and to consider whether cryptic species exist in a species complex. DNA from parts of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin, and elongation factor-1α genes was sequenced and analyzed for isolates from throughout the range of T. suttonii in Australia, and from six countries (China, Indonesia, South Africa, Uruguay, United States, and Vietnam) where the pathogen is introduced. Morphometrics of conidia produced both in vivo and in vitro were also considered. Analysis of the sequence data resulted in incongruent genealogies. Furthermore, groups of isolates in the genealogies could not be linked to area of origin. Similarly, differences in conidial morphology could not be linked to any of the phylogenetic groups. There was no evidence of distinct species boundaries, and isolates from Australia were closely related to those from other parts of the world. The results of this study support the treatment of T. suttonii as a morphologically and genetically diverse species in its natural range in Australia. The diversity is reflected in introduced populations.