Three new species of the genus Leveillula from Iran

 Based on molecular and morphological studies, Leveillula guilanensis sp. nov. on Chondrilla juncea, L. lactucae-serriolae sp. nov. on Lactuca serriola, and L. mindii sp. nov. on Mindium laevigatum are described from Iran. Received: May 7, 2002 / Accepted: September 5, 2002 Correspondence to:S. Takamatsu     

Tribes of Boraginoideae (Boraginaceae) and placement of Antiphytum, Echiochilon, Ogastemma and Sericostoma: A phylogenetic analysis based on atpB plastid DNA sequence data

 The genera Antiphytum, Echiochilon, Ogastemma and Sericostoma, which have been difficult to place within the tribes of the subfamily Boraginoideae (Boraginaceae), are analysed using plastid atpB sequence data. A selection of Boraginaceae genera was used to obtain a framework for the phylogenetic position of Antiphytum, Echiochilon, Ogastemma and Sericostoma. Sericostoma is found to belong within Echiochilon. The new tribe Echiochileae, Boragineae and Lithospermeae are monophyletic but the tribes Eritrichieae and Cynoglosseae are paraphyletic. The biogeography of Echiochileae (Echiochilon and Ogastemma from Africa and western Asia, and Antiphytum from America) is discussed. Received November 27, 2001; accepted March 20, 2002 Published online: November 14, 2002 ? Springer-Verlag 2002 Addresses of the authors: Elisabeth L?ngstr?m (e-mail: elisabeth.langstrom@ebc.uu.se), Department of Systematic Botany, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyv?gen 18D, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden. Mark W. Chase, Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9 3DS, UK.     

Pleosporales in Japan (1): the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lophiostoma</Emphasis>

 Seven species of the genus Lophiostoma were the subject of this study. Among these, Lophiostoma mucosum is described and illustrated as a new species. All other species, L. macrostomum, L. semiliberum, L. arundinis, L. caulium, L. caudatum, and L. winteri, are reported for the first time in Japan. A key to the species of Lophiostoma in Japan is given. Received: August 5, 2002 / Accepted: November 28, 2002 Acknowledgments We are grateful to Dr. Hideki Takahashi (curator of SAPA) for the loan of fungal material. Correspondence to:Y. Harada     

Tortula and some related genera (Pottiaceae, Musci): phylogenetic relationships based on chloroplast rps4 sequences

 According to chloroplast rps4 sequence data the genus Syntrichia forms a monophyletic clade clearly separated from Tortula, while Pottia is shown to be polyphyletic and the Rhynchostegiae species (with rostrate lid) are very similar to Tortula. Crossidium is probably polyphyletic. The close affinity of Desmatodon, Stegonia, Pterygoneurum and some of the species of Phascum with Tortula is confirmed by the molecular data. Received May 23, 2002; accepted August 23, 2002 Published online: November 22, 2002 Address of the authors: O. Werner, R. M. Ros, M. J. Cano, J. Guerra (E-mail: werner@um.es) Departamento de Biología Vegetal (Botánica), Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, E-30100-Murcia, Spain.     

Type III Secretion Homologs Are Present in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella melitensis</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. ovis</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. suis</Emphasis> biovars 1, 2, and 3

Protein sequences from characterized type III secretion (TTS) systems were used as probes in silico to identify several TTS gene homologs in the genome sequence of Brucella suis biovar 1 strain 1330. Four of the genes, named flhB, fliP, fliR, and fliF on the basis of greatest homologies to known flagellar apparatus proteins, were targeted in PCR and hybridization assays to determine their distribution among other Brucella nomen species and biovars. The results indicated that flhB, fliP, fliR and fliF are present in Brucella melitensis, Brucella ovis, and Brucella suis biovars 1, 2 and 3. Similar homologos have been reported previously in Brucella abortus. Using RT-PCR assays, we were unable to detect any expression of these genes. It is not yet known whether the genes are the cryptic remnants of a flagellar system or are actively involved in a process contributing to pathogenicity or previously undetected motility, but they are distributed widely in Brucella and merit further study to determine their role. Received: 11 February 2002 / Accepted: 13 June 2002     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe patagoniaca</Emphasis>: a new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe </Emphasis>sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uncinula </Emphasis>from Patagonia,Argentina

 A new species of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula is described and illustrated from Patagonia, Argentina. Erysiphe patagoniaca sp. nov., found on leaves of Nothofagus × antarctica, is similar to E. nothofagi and E. kenjiana, but differs in its appendages being twisted throughout their length and the number of appendages, asci, and ascospores. The two endemic species of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula, E. magellanica and E. nothofagi, coexisted on the same leaves together with Erysiphe patagoniaca. Received: September 19, 2002 / Accepted: November 28, 2002 Acknowledgments The authors are grateful to Ms. Seiko Niinomi for providing the micrographs of ascomata of Erysiphe spp. on Nothofagus. Correspondence to:S. Takamatsu     

Fungi on submerged wood in the Koito River,Japan

 Woody substrates were collected from the Koito River in Japan, and the biodiversity of fungi on these substrates was investigated. Twenty-eight species were identified, comprising 12 ascomycete and 16 anamorphic taxa. The common fungi included Chaetosphaeria sp., Ophioceras commune, Pseudohalonectria lignicola, and Savoryella lignicola. The occurrence of fungi on submerged wood is discussed, and three interesting taxa – Pseudohalonectria lignicola, Bactrodesmium arnaudii, and B. pallidum – are described and illustrated. Received: August 19, 2002 / Accepted: November 25, 2002 Acknowledgments We are grateful to the financial support of the Special Coordination Fund for Promoting Science and Technology from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. Profs. K. Nishimura and M. Miyaji are thanked for scientific invitation and assistance in Chiba, Japan. Dr. Norio Hayashi from the Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba, is thanked for providing physicochemical data for the Koito River. Y.M. Leung and M.H. Ng are thanked for technical assistance. Correspondence to:C.K.M. Tsui     

A molecular phylogeny and generic rearrangement of the stapelioid Ceropegieae (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae)

 Representatives of nearly all genera of the taxon-rich stem-succulent stapeliads and most of the few related, leafy genera were analyzed. Sequence data from two non-coding molecular markers (ITS region of nrDNA and trnT-L and trnL-F spacers as well as the trnL intron of cpDNA) support the traditional tribal affiliation of the genera, which form a monophyletic group. This monophylum breaks into a basal Neoschumannia/Anisotoma/Riocreuxia/Sisyranthus nk;clade, from which the core Ceropegieae are derived. The four Ceropegia species included are not monophyletic, and their relationship to Brachystelma changes depending on the marker studied. The stem succulent taxa fall in a number of well supported, but unresolved clades, the most prominent being the predominantly southern African clade comprising Orbea, Stapelia and some other genera. The most derived taxa of NE Africa, Duvaliandra and White-sloanea, are basal to this southern African clade. The other clades comprise the more basal genera of stem-succulent stapeliads, including the members of the Caralluma complex. Of the 17 genera accepted by Plowes for the Caralluma complex, seven are recognized: Caralluma, Apteranthes, Australluma, Boucerosia, Caudanthera, Desmidorchis and Monolluma. New combinations are proposed in 15 cases; Caralluma adscendens var. geniculata is raised to specific rank. Anomalluma is reinstated, and Pseudolithos mccoyi is transfered to it. A broadened concept for Orbea (incl. Angolluma and Orbeopsis) is recognized, but Orbeanthus is kept separate. The monotypic Ballyanthus, recently separated from Orbea, is nested within Duvalia. Piaranthus (incl. Huerniopsis) is monophyletic. The bitypic Notechidnopsis is reduced to the type species, N. tessellata, while N. columnaris is transferred to a new genus, Richtersveldia. Received February 25, 2002; accepted June 17, 2002 Published online: November 7, 2002 Address of the authors: Dr. Ulrich Meve (e-mail: ulrich.meve@uni-bayreuth.de) and Prof. Dr. Sigrid Liede (e-mail: sigrid.liede@uni-bayreuth.de), Universit?t Bayreuth, Lehrstuhl für Pflanzensystematik, Universit?tsstrasse 30, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany.     

Numerical Taxonomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrionaceae</Emphasis> Isolated from Cultured Amberjack (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Seriola dumerili</Emphasis>) and Surrounding Water

A numerical taxonomic study was performed on 148 isolates of Gram-negative, heterotrophic, facultative anaerobic bacteria isolated from amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and its surrounding culture water. The study included 30 type and reference strains belonging to genera Vibrio, Listonella, and Photobacterium. The strains were characterized by 109 morphological, biochemical, physiological, and nutritional tests. Cluster analysis of similarity matrices obtained with S_SM and S_J coefficients was carried out. UPGMA (unweighted pair group mathematical average) analysis defined 11 phena at S_SM values ≥ 86%. Nine phena were identified as Vibrio alginolyticus, V. fischeri, V. harveyi, V. carchariae, V. mediterranei, V. splendidus, V. furnissii, V. parahaemolyticus, and Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae. The two latter comprised strains isolated from diseased fish. Received: 27 March 2002 / Accepted: 24 May 2002     

Chemotactic Behavior of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</Emphasis> Is Altered During Gametogenesis

Chemotactic behavior of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is altered during the sexual life cycle. Unlike vegetative cells and noncompetent pregametes, mature gametes did not show chemotaxis to ammonium. Loss of chemotaxis to ammonium in mating-competent cells is controlled by gamete-specific genes that are common for both mating-type gametes. Change of chemotaxis mode requires the sequential action of the two environmental signals: removal of ammonium from the medium and light. The mutants lrg1, lrg3, and lrg4 affected in the light-dependent step of sexual differentiation exhibited the loss of chemotaxis to ammonium in the absence of light. These data indicate that there are common components in the signaling pathways that control change of chemotactic behavior and forming of mating competence in gametes. Received: 14 May 2002 / Accepted: 21 June 2002     

Pleosporales in Japan (3). The genus Massarina

 Twelve species of the genus Massarina collected from Japan are reported in this article. Among them, 4 new species, M. constricta, M. japonica, M. submediana, and M. uniserialis, are described, illustrated, and compared to similar species. Two species, M. scirpina and M. ryukyuensis, are described as new combination, and 4 species, M. arundinariae, M. fluviatilis, M. peerallyi, and M. rubi, are reported from Japan for the first time. One bambusicolous species, Metasphaeria tuberculosa, is considered to be a synonym of Massarina bambusina. Received: December 13, 2002 / Accepted: February 6, 2003 Acknowledgments We are grateful to Dr. Shuhei Tanaka, curator of YAM (Yamaguchi University), for the loan of specimens for this study.     

Spawning season and migration of the myctophid fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diaphus theta </Emphasis>in the western North Pacific

 The spawning season, spawning grounds, and migration of the myctophid fish Diaphus theta were studied in the western North Pacific, based on seasonal sampling and estimation of hatching dates. The peak abundance of larvae was observed in July in the transition waters between the Oyashio and Kuroshio fronts. The spawning season ranged from late March to early September, with a peak from May to July. Larvae and juveniles <40 mm in standard length were distributed in the transition waters, whereas larger individuals were collected in the Oyashio and the Western Subarctic waters. These results indicate that this species undergoes a horizontal spawning migration from the Oyashio and Western Subarctic waters into the transition waters crossing the Oyashio front. Received: July 11, 2002 / Revised: October 2, 2002 / Accepted: October 15, 2002 Acknowledgments We are grateful to the captains, officers, and crew of FRV Hokko-Maru, FRV Tankai-Maru, and RV Hakuho-Maru for their assistance at sea. We thank Dr. H. Saito and Mr. H. Kasai for their cooperation in field sampling, and Dr. C. Sassa for his assistance with larval fish taxonomy. Correspondence to:Masatoshi Moku     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> ser. <Emphasis Type="Italic">jordanica</Emphasis> (Serotype H71), a Novel Serovariety Isolated in Jordan

The novel strain of Bacillus thuringiensis J112 isolated from a soil sample in Jordan was classified and characterized in terms of toxicity against dipteran and nematode larvae, crystal protein pattern, plasmid profile, and cry gene content. A new name, Bacillus thuringiensis serovariety jordanica (H serotype 71), is proposed for the reference strain J112. The parasporal crystal proteins were toxic to 3^rd instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster and to 2^nd stage juveniles of root knot nematodes Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita, but showed poor mosquitocidal activity towards Culex pipiens molestus and Culiseta longiareolata larvae. Solubilized and trypsin-digested crystal proteins possessed moderate hemolytic activity against sheep erythrocytes. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that crystals are composed of several polypeptides ranging from 24 to 170 kDa, of which the 20-, 42-, 140-, and 170-kDa proteins were the major components. Analysis of the plasmid pattern of J112 revealed the presence of two large plasmidic bands of about 160 and 205 kbp. PCR with total DNA from strain J112 and specific primers for cry1, cry2, cry3, cry4, and cyt2A genes revealed that cry1, cry3A, cry4, cry5 and cyt2a genes are present. Received: 9 August 2002 / Accepted: 4 September 2002     

Genome organization and polyploid evolution in the genus Eleusine (Poaceae)

 Eleusine (Poaceae) includes six diploid and three polyploid species and has three basic chromosome numbers, x=8, 9 and 10. The species are annual as well as perennial and all are wild except E. coracana, which is cultivated for grain and fodder in Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Eleusine coracana and E. africana have the same genome and chromosome number (2n=36). Eleusine indica and E. floccifolia are identified as two genome donors to these polyploid species. Eleusine kigeziensis is the third polyploid species of the genus with 2n=38. Its genome may have come from E. jaegeri and from one of the species with x=9, most probably from E. indica. Eleusine indica, E. tristachya, E. floccifolia and E. intermedia with x=9 and two polyploid species, E. coracana and E. africana, are closely related and there is free genetic flow between them. Eleusine multiflora with x=8 is significantly different in morphology and at genomic level from other species. Eleusine jaegeri with x=10 is morphologically similar to E. indica, however, more information is needed to ascertain its position in the genus. Eleusine coracana, which is commonly called finger millet, is a potential and nutritious crop for the increasing population of the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. It can also serve as a gene pool for various important characters and disease resistant genes. Received February 11, 2002; accepted May 27, 2002 Published online: October 14, 2002 Addresses of the authors: Madho Singh Bisht and Yasuhiko Mukai (e-mail: ymukai@cc.osaka-kyoiku.ac.jp), Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Division of Natural Science, Osaka Kyoiku University, 4-698-1 Asahigaoka, Kashiwara, Osaka 582-8582, Japan.     

Genetic population structure of Japanese bagrid catfishes

 The genetic population structures of four bagrid catfishes, allopatrically distributed in Japan, were investigated based on nucleotide sequence data from the mitochondrial control region (ca. 420 bp) of 296 specimens from 29 river systems. Almost no sequence variations were found within riverine populations of each species, especially Pseudobagrus ichikawai, in which no individual variations were found in any specimens from eight river systems throughout its range. In contrast, the P. nudiceps population in the Lake Biwa–Yodo River system showed relatively high polymorphism. These results imply that the riverine populations have undergone a bottleneck situation at some time. Most of the riverine populations of P. nudiceps and P. ichikawai, which are mainly distributed in areas around an inland sea or bay, were fixed into a single haplotype for each species. On the other hand, in P. tokiensis and P. aurantiacus, which are distributed in areas surrounding extensive mountainous regions, the haplotype compositions clearly differed among conspecific populations. These results suggest that some degree of gene flow existed among populations of each of the former two species during glacial regression periods. Based on the genetic variability of P. fulvidraco, widely distributed in continental East Asia, and the degree of genetic divergence between P. aurantiacus and its possible sister species, P. taeniatus, in China, the evolutionary rate of East Asian bagrids appears to be relatively low, estimated at a few percent per million years or less. Received: June 5, 2002 / Revised: December 6, 2002 / Accepted: December 26, 2002     

Airborne pollen sampling in Toledo, Central Spain

Toledo is one of the main tourist spots of Spain, attracting around two million visitors per year. Its geographical situation in the vast and scarcely monitored Region of Castilla La Mancha and the high number of tourists (especially in the spring) has resulted in the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA) making this city a major study objective. Air monitoring studies carried out using REA sampling procedures commenced in October 2002. Thirty-two pollen types were identified during the sampling period (October 2002 to October 2004). The annual Pollen Index (PI) was 44124 for the agricultural year October 2002–October 2003, and 29666 in the same period of 2003–2004. The most abundant taxa were, in decreasing order of dominance: Cupressaceae, Quercus, Poaceae, Populus, Olea, Urticaceae, Platanus, Pinus and Ulmus. Other, less well-represented pollen taxa included Salix, Alnus, Fraxinus and Tamarix, which were characteristic of riverside areas, and Morus, Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae. The presence of Castanea pollen grains originating from chestnut crops far away from the city was clearly an example of long-distance transport. The highest concentrations of airborne pollen were detected from March to May and also in January, due to the flowering of Cupressaceae species. In general, there was a correlation between pollen and meteorological parameters: a positive correlation with temperature and a negative correlation with rainfall and humidity during the pre-peak period. A negative correlation between temperature and some tree pollen taxa was detected in the principal pollen period correlation analysis due to their long pollination periods.