Biogeography, geographical variation and taxonomy of the Andean hummingbird genusMetallura GOULD, 1847

Summary Biogeography and taxonomy of the High-Andean hummingbird genusMetallura were analysed on the basis of geographical variation of morphometric and plumage colour characters. The genusMetallura is considered to consist of nine species and 15 subspecies. Within the speciesMetallura tyrianthina seven subspecies are recognized (smaragdinicollis [includingperuviana],septentrionalis, quitensis, tyrianthina, districta, oreopola, chloropogon).M. tyrianthina andM. iracunda are considered to be sister species and to be closely related toM. phoebe and to the members of theM. aeneocauda superspecies. The latter consists of six species as follows:M. aeneocauda (with subspeciesaeneocauda andmalagae),M. eupogon, M. theresiae (with subspeciestheresiae andparkeri),M. odomae, M. baroni andM. williami (with subspecieswilliami, atrigularis, primolina, recisa).M. tyrianthina andM. iracunda exhibit plesiomorphic character states (dimorphism, colour of throat feathers, short bill), that link the genusMetallura to its sister genusChalcostigma. The disjunct distribution of similar phenotypes, and the progression of morphological characters suggest fairly recent allopatric speciation processes in allMetallura taxa. High-Andean habitat fragmentations due to climatic changes during Late-Pliocene and Pleistocene presumably caused geographical isolation and differentiation of mostMetallura populations. The south-north phenotype progression regarding chin and gorget coloration ofM. tyrianthina females, paralleled by a transition from weak to strong sexual dimorphism, suggest for the genusMetallura a centre of origin in the Andes of north-eastern Bolivia or south-eastern Peru.Dedicated to Hans Hudde, Essen, for his friendship and support.     

Collecting history of the hummingbird genera Chaetocercus Gray, 1855 and Lophornis Lesson, 1829

We examined the Chaetocercus and Lophornis holdings of 21 European, US and South American avian collections. Only skin specimens with exact (to the year) collecting dates and reliable locality data on their labels, which could be checked personally, were analysed. We located 466 Chaetocercus and 373 Lophornis specimens collected between the years 1859 and 1999. The vast majority of these records are old ones, dated between 1880 and 1960: 93% of the Chaetocercus and 82% of the Lophornis study skins. Less than 1% of all specimens was obtained after 1990. Potential explanations for our findings, such as declining population levels of these hummingbird genera, historically changing collecting activities regarding commercial dealers and collecting techniques, and legal collecting restrictions are discussed. Our findings reflect a general trend of decreasing collecting activities worldwide.Communicated by F. Bairlein     

瑞香属和荛花属的数量分类研究

瑞香属和荛花属为瑞香科瑞香亚科的落叶或常绿灌木,中国西南部是瑞香属和荛花属的重要分化中心。全世界共有瑞香属95种、荛花属70种,中国分布有瑞香属52种、荛花属49种。瑞香属和荛花属的分类学研究一直存在不同程度的分歧。花盘形状和果实类型在传统分类中一直是区分瑞香属和荛花属的典型特征,而花盘形态和果实类型在2个属中存在交叉和过渡,部分植物分类学家根据这些特征将两个属进行过不同程度的归并。该研究采用数量分类法对瑞香属77种(变种)和荛花属62种(变种)植物,选取32个形态学性状进行聚类分析和主成分分析。结果表明:聚类分析和主成分分析均显示两属均未形成单系类群。在主成分分析中,前3个主成分分析的贡献值为35.56%,传统分类中用来区分两属的花盘形状、叶序及果实类型等特征对前3个主成分贡献相对较小,因此,传统分类学中对这两个属进行区分的性状并没有典型的分类学意义。同时,聚类图和主成分分析得到的散点图均不能将这两个属区分开来。数量分类研究结果显示两属植物存在明显的交叉,支持瑞香属和荛花属不是两个独立自然类群的观点。     

Genetic variation amongst viviparid snails in the genus Mekongia (Prosobranchia: Viviparidae) in Thailand

Allozyme variation in viviparid snails from the genus Mekongia in Thailand were examined across the different species, subspecies and geographical locations (river drainage systems). Using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis, 11 presumed allozyme loci (eight polymorphic) from eight enzyme systems were screened. Heterozygosity was moderately low (Hexp = 0.000–0.109, mean = 0.037). One population of Mekongia pongensis (Nong Khai) was monomorphic at all 11 examined loci in contrast to the other two populations, suggesting bottleneck within this population. Populations were more differentiated in the Mekongia sphaericula complex (F_ST = 0.587) than in either the Mekongia swainsoni complex (F_ST = 0.161) or M. pongensis species (F_ST = 0.073). Mekongia sphaericula sphaericula and Mekongia sphaericula extensa exhibited fixed allele differences at two loci, a high genetic distance (D = 0.265–0.300) and a potential polyphyletic relationship, suggesting two distinct lineages (species).     

梭菌属分类研究进展:现状和展望

目前构成梭菌属的微生物在系统发育和表型特征上不一致。多相分类数据表明,梭菌属物种之间差异大。大量基于16S rRNA 基因的系统发育研究表明,梭菌属应被限定为梭菌属类群I,作为狭义梭菌属(Clostridium sensu stricto)。尽管有这方面认识,梭菌属新物种仍持续增加,这些新物种并不能与梭菌属类群I 和标准种丁酸梭菌(C. butryicum)形成一致分支,引发梭菌属分类上的混乱。本文明确了梭菌属物种的范围,即只包括模式种和梭菌属类群I。此外,4 个物种念珠状真杆菌(Eubacterium moniliforme)、旋舞真杆菌(Eubacterium tarantellae)、最大八叠球菌(Sarcina maxima)和胃八叠球菌(Sarcina ventriculi)应被调至梭菌属,分别命名为念珠状梭菌(Clostridium moniliforme)、旋舞梭菌(Clostridium tarantellae)、最大梭菌(Clostridium maximum)和胃梭菌(Clostridium ventriculi)。一个新属哈撒韦氏菌属(Hathewaya)被提议成立,3 个梭菌属物种溶组织梭菌(Clostridium histolyticum)、泥渣梭菌(Clostridium limosum)和解朊梭菌(Clostridiumproteolyticum)重新归为溶组织哈撒韦氏菌(Hathewaya histolytica)、泥渣哈撒韦氏菌(Hathewaya limosa)和解朊哈撒韦氏菌(Hathewaya proteolytica),其中Hathewaya histolytica 为模式种。     

Phylogenetic relationships among species and genera of Lycoperdaceae based on ITS and LSU sequence data from north European taxa

Phylogenetic relationships, limits of species, and genera within Lycoperdaceae, were inferred by use of ITS and LSU nu-rDNA sequence data. Lycoperdaceae was confirmed as monophyletic, and Mycenastrum corium as a sister taxon to the ingroup. Four major clades were identified and received weak to moderate support and correspond with the genera Lycoperdon, Bovista, Calvatia, and Disciseda. The Lycoperdon clade includes species from Lycoperdon, Vascellum, Morganella, Handkea, Bovistella, and Calvatia. The structure within the Lycoperdon clade is unresolved and several clades are more or less unsupported, which suggests treating the supported Lycoperdon clade as the genus Lycoperdon. L. nigrescens and L. caudatum occur on single branches and their phylogenetic positions could not be resolved. The phylogenetic analyses identified 31 species of Lycoperdon, 11 species of Bovista, six species of Calvatia, and two species of Disciseda. In Lycoperdon three new species were recognized. A new species closely related to B. limosa is identified and discussed. A classification of Lycoperdaceae is proposed based on the results of the phylogenetic analyses. Morphological characters of species within and among identified clades are discussed.     

Stictis s. lat. (Ostropales, Ascomycota) in northern Scandinavia, with a key and notes on morphological variation in relation to lifestyle

The closely related genera Carestiella, Schizoxylon and Stictis (Stictidaceae, Ostropales, Ascomycota) are revised in northern Scandinavia, and a revised phylogenetic hypothesis, including all seven species of this group in the area, is presented. A key to the species of Stictis s. lat. (including Carestiella, Schizoxylon and Stictis) in Northern Scandinavia is presented. S. albescens and S. confusum are described as new to science, and the new name S. brunnescens is introduced for S. mollis ssp. populorum, when treated as a distinct species. C. socia and S. albescens are the only representatives of their genera in northern Scandinavia, but a total of five species of Stictis are present in the area (S. brunnescens, S. confusum, S. mollis, S. populorum and S. radiata). Substantial within-species variation in ascoma morphology and wall pigmentation is revealed and discussed, and found to correlate with fungal lifestyles; optional lichenization apparently affects several details in fungal anatomy and morphology.     

Biogeography, geographic variation and habitat preference in the Amazilia Hummingbird,Amazilia amazilia Lesson (Aves: Trochilidae), with notes on the status ofAmazilia alticola Gould

Summary This paper reviews the biogeography, geographic variation, and habitat characteristics of the Amazilia Hummingbird (Amazilia amazilia). Based on morphological features, habitat preferences, and bioacoustics, I propose that the currently recognized subspeciesA. a. alticola should be regarded as a species distinct fromA. amazilia. Synapomorphic characters found in both taxa indicate membership of the same superspecies, together with the Colombian speciesA. castaneiventris. Considering the distributional focus ofA. alticola in the Andes of southern Ecuador, the English species name Loja Hummingbird is suggested.

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Biogeographie, geographische Variation und Habitatwahl der Lesson-Amazilie (Amazilia amazilia Lesson; Aves: Trochilidae), mit Anmerkungen zum Status vonAmazilia alticola Gould

Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Studie stellt die Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen zur Biogeographie, geographischen Variation, Habitatwahl und Taxonomie der Lesson-Amazilie (Amazilia amazilia) vor. Das Taxon umfaßt gegenwärtig fünf Unterarten, die von W-Ecuador bis SW-Peru verbreitet sind und überwiegend submontane Lebensräume besiedeln. Die Ventralfärbung unterliegt klinaler Variation; weiße Gefiederanteile nehmen von nördlichen zu südlichen Populationen ab, rotbraune Partien dagegen zu. Eigenständige morphologisch-morphometrische Kennzeichen sowie Unterschiede in den Habitatpräferenzen und in der Gesangsstruktur rechtfertigen es, die bisherige UnterartA. a. alticola als Paraspezies (A. alticola, Loja-Amazilie) anzuerkennen. Der Vulgärname weist auf den rezenten Verbreitungsschwerpunkt in den südecuadorianischen Anden hin. Aufgrund der engen Verwandtschaft bildenA. amazilia undA. alticola sowie die in Kolumbien endemische ArtA. castaneiventris eine Superspezies.

     

Consequences and causes of geographic variation in the body size of a keystone predator,Notophthalmus viridescens

Two subspecies of the predatory aquatic salamanderNotophthalmus, N. viridescens viridescens andN. v. dorsalis, differ in adult body size and geographic distribution. We tested whether experimental populations of the two predator subspecies differed in their effects on prey populations ofB. americanus, and whether observed differences in predator body size were genetic and/or environmentally induced. We compared the effects of predation by bothNotophthalmus subspecies on larvalBufo americanus by experimentally manipulating the densities (0, 2, or 4 newts/m³) and subspecies ofNotophthalmus (N. v. viridescens orN. v. dorsalis) added to artificial ponds. BothNotophthalmus subspecies significantly reducedB. americanus survival, but differed significantly in this effect. FewerBufo survived with the larger subspecies,N. v. viridescens, than with the smallerNotophthalmus subspecies,N. v. dorsalis. TheNotophthalmus subspecies differed in their patterns of adult and larval growth. Adults of the smaller subspecies,N. v. dorsalis, had a significantly higher growth rate than the larger subspecies,N. v. viridescens, under common environmental conditions, suggesting that differences in predator size were partly genetic, rather than entirely environmentally induced. LarvalN. v. dorsalis metamorphosed significantly later in the season than larvae ofN. v. viridescens, suggesting that larvalN. v. dorsalis had a lower growth rate than larvalN. v. viridescens. Differences in adult and larval growth, together with differences in the minimum adult size observed in natural populations, suggest that differences in the rate or duration of pre-adult growth may contribute substantially to observed differences in size.     

Contributions to the taxonomy of the genera Pachysternum and Cyrtonion (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae)

Pachysternum loxodonta sp. n. from the Republic of the Congo and Pachysternum sulawesicum sp.n. from Sulawesi Island, Indonesia are described. The generic status of Pachysternum sculpticolle (Régimbart, 1907) is revised, the species is transferred to the genus Cyrtonion and its differences from C. ghanense Hansen, 1989 are discussed. Taxonomy of Pachysternum is discussed, dividing the genus prelusively into three species groups, one comprising all known Oriental and Eastern Palearctic species, and two comprising the Afrotropical species. Species with unclear positions within the genus Pachysternum or with questionable generic status are left as “Species incertae sedis”.     

Flamingomyces and Parvulago, new genera of marine smut fungi (Ustilaginomycotina)

Teliospore walls, teliospore germinations, hyphal septations, cellular interactions, and nucleotide sequences from the D1/D2 region of the nuLSU rRNA gene of the marine smut fungi Melanotaenium ruppiae and Ustilago marina were examined and compared with findings in other Ustilaginomycotina. The data show that Melanotaenium ruppiae belongs to the Urocystaceae and Ustilago marina to the Ustilaginaceae. Within the Urocystaceae, Melanotaenium ruppiae is morphologically similar to Melanustilospora and Vankya. However, according to the molecular results Melanotaenium ruppiae can neither be ascribed to Melanustilospora nor to Vankya. Therefore, the new genus Flamingomyces is proposed for Melanotaenium ruppiae. Ustilago marina differs from the other Ustilaginaceae in the mode of sporulation, which exclusively occurs at the base of the host plant culms. Accordingly, the new genus Parvulago is proposed for Ustilago marina.     

Morphology and taxonomy of chain-forming species of the genus Cochlodinium (Dinophyceae)

The morphology of an unarmored chain-forming harmful dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides and its similar species such as Cochlodinium catenatum, Cochlodinium fulvescens, and Cochlodinium convolutum was carefully observed, emphasizing the single cell stage for clarifying taxonomically important morphological features. To differentiate C. polykrikoides from C. convolutum, the shape and the position of the nucleus are useful characters. C. polykrikoides also differs from C. fulvescens in being smaller in size, possessing many rod-shaped chloroplasts and having the sulcus running just below the cingulum on the dorsal surface. Careful observation of the ichnotype of C. catenatum suggests that C. catenatum sensu Kofoid and Swezy collected from off La Jolla, CA, USA, is not identical to C. catenatum sensu Okamura and is probably a different species, in having no chloroplasts and a nucleus positioned at the center of the cell. In addition, C. polykrikoides has many morphological features in common with C. catenatum sensu Okamura except for slightly elongate cells and is probably a junior synonym of this species.     

On the taxonomic status of the Antarctic amphipod crustacean genera Eclysis (Astyridae) and Bathypanoploea (Stilipedidae), with partial redescription of their type species and description of Bathypanoploea polarsterni n. sp.

The monotypic genus Eclysis K.H. Barnard, 1932 and its type species, E. similis Barnard, are redescribed based upon a newly discovered second specimen. The genus Bathypanoploea Schellenberg, 1939 is reviewed; B. schellenbergi Holman and Watling, 1983 is fixed as the type species. B. polarsterni n. sp. is described; Alexandrella pulchra Ren in Ren and Huang, 1991 is a new junior synonym of B. schellenbergi. The morphology of Eclysis and Bathypanoploea is examined, as well as their relationships to the Astyridae and Stilipedidae.See also Electronic Supplement at: http://www.senckenberg.de/odes/05-03.htm     

Biochemical assessment of the taxonomic diversity of the operculate land snail, Cyclophorus fulguratus (Gastropoda: Cyclophoridae), from Thailand

Allozyme variation was examined in 223 samples of the operculate land snail Cyclophorus fulguratus from 13 localities across three regions of Thailand. Using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis, 13 allozyme presumed loci (12 polymorphic) were screened. Heterozygosity was moderate in C. fulguratus (H_exp = 0.008–0.127) with a high genetic heterogeneity among samples (F_st = 0.734). Populations showed a greater genetic differentiation in central Thailand (F_st = 0.380) than in northeastern Thailand (F_st = 0.108), suggesting frequent gene flow among populations in northeastern Thailand. C. fulguratus exhibits a strong pattern of isolation by distance over the entire tested species range in Thailand and may potentially have been involved in an extensive local fragmentation. Results of the distance analysis revealed that large genetic divergence has occurred among the central, northeastern and eastern Thailand groups [D = 0.361–0.701], strongly suggesting populations from these three geographical regions may actually represent or else be evolving into separate species.     

Arthromyces and Blastosporella, two new genera of conidia-producing lyophylloid agarics (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) from the neotropics

Two new genera encompassing three new species of lyophylloid agarics that produce conidia on the basidiomata are described. Arthromyces is a genus comprised of two very different arthrospore-producing mushroom species found in the Greater Antilles and Central America. Blastosporella is a monotypic genus with spherical balls of blastospores covering the pileus surface with age and is known from Hispaniola and Colombia. A key to the species of Arthromyces is included.     

Chemotaxonomic discrimination among the fungal genera Tolypocladium, beauveria and Paecilomyces

Fungi of the genera Beauveria and Paecilomyces were found to produce cyclotetradepsipeptides, beauverolides. Production of beauverolides was not detected at the genus Tolypocladium. Analysis of beauverolides therefore provides a very simple chemotaxonomic test which seems to be suitable for fast discrimination between the genera Beauveria vs Tolypocladium and complementing morphological examination. A GC-MS study of β-hydroxy acid distribution in the beauverolide hydrolyzates revealed that all strains prdouce γ-methyl-β-hydroxy acids only. Their occurrence thus cannot be used as a taxonomic marker of different species within the genera Beauveria and Paecilomyces.     

Protein variation,taxonomy and differentiation in five species of marmosets (genusCallithrix Erxleben, 1777)

The electrophoretic patterns of 15 protein systems codified for 20 genetic loci were investigated using horizontal electrophoresis. A total of 150 blood samples, from five species of the genusCallithrix were analyzed. Polymorphic variation was observed in 10 out 20 loci analyzed. The genotypic distributions are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The average heterozygosity (H) varied from 1% to 5%, similar to those observed for other Neotropical primates. The genetic distance coefficients revealed a phylogenetic separation of these species into two groups: (1) “argentata” (C. humeralifer andC. emiliae); (2) “jacchus” (C. jacchus, C. penicillata, andC. geoffroyi). This arrangement is according to the taxonomic arrangement proposed byHershkovitz (1977),de Vivo (1988), andMittermeier et al. (1988). The results in each group are compatible with the subspecies values recorded for the Platyrrhini. These values showed that:C. humeralifer andC. emiliae are subspecies ofC. argentata;C. jacchus, C. penicillata, andC. geoffroyi are subspecies ofC. jacchus. These results also suggest thatC. j. geoffroyi is the “jacchus” group taxon, most similar genetically to the “argentata” group.     

Distinction of species in Aureobasidium and related genera by PCR-ribotyping

Taxonomic markers for differentiation of the anamorph genera Aureobasidium, Hormonema and Kabatiella were developed using PCR-ribotyping with the primers 5.8S-R and LR7 for amplification and the restriction enzymes Alul, DdeI, Hhal, MspI and RsaI for digestion. Aureobasidium and Hormonema are optimally differentiated with MspI; DdeI is particularly useful to distinguish aureobasidium, Kabatiella and Selenophoma. Relationships of the anamorph genera Aureobasidium, Hormoneng and Kabatiella with the teleomorph genera Pringsheimia and Dothiora are discussed.     

Morphological and molecular investigations of Paramecium schewiakoffi sp. nov. (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea) and current status of distribution and taxonomy of Paramecium spp.

Paramecium schewiakoffi sp. nov. is described from a pond in Shanghai, China. It is a freshwater species belonging to the “aurelia” subgroup of the genus. It is of similar size and shape to P. jenningsi, but has a single large micronucleus of the “chromosomal” morphological type, while P. jenningsi has two smaller micronuclei. The general morphology, morphometric characteristics and nuclear reorganization pattern, a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprint pattern, and the small subunit rRNA gene sequence are presented for the species. Comparison of P. schewiakoffi with the other species of Paramecium indicates that it is a valid new species of the genus. Geographical locations reported for many Paramecium species do not support the theory that all ciliates have a cosmopolitan distribution. It is proposed that, in an extension of Jankowski's earlier suggestion, the genus Paramecium should be subdivided into four subgenera: Chloroparamecium, Helianter, Cypriostomum and Paramecium, on the basis of morphometric, biological and molecular differences.     

Effects of genetic and environmental host plant variation on the susceptibility of two noctuids toBacillus thuringiensis

TwoApium graveolens var.rapaceum (L.) cultivars that differ in their suitability for the survival and growth ofSpodoptera exigua (Hübner) andTrichoplusia ni (Hübner) were used to examine the effect of genetic and seasonal environmental variation in host plant suitability on the efficacy ofBacillus thuringiensis subsp.kurstaki (Berliner). The effects of host plant genotype andB. thuringiensis were generally independent, so thatB. thuringiensis efficacy was greatest on the resistant host plant cultivar. Host plant suitability varied within growing season for both insect species but, while host plant suitability decreased with increasing plant age forT. ni, the response ofS. exigua to plant age was not as clear. Within season variation in host plant suitability affectedB. thuringiensis efficacy and the interaction betweenB. thuringiensis and host plant cultivar forS. exigua but not forT. ni. Soluble protein and Folin-Denis phenolic concentrations of host plant tissue were not correlated with changes in host plant suitability to either insect species.