Parallel changes in genital morphology delineate cryptic diversification of planktonic nudibranchs

The relative roles of geographical and non-geographical barriers in the genesis of genetic isolation are highly debated in evolutionary biology, yet knowing how speciation occurs is essential to our understanding of biodiversity. In the open ocean, differentiating between the two is particularly difficult, because of the high levels of gene flow found in pelagic communities. Here, we use molecular phylogenetics to test the hypothesis that geography is the primary isolating mechanism in a clade of pelagic nudibranchs, Glaucinae. Our results contradict allopatric expectations: the cosmopolitan Glaucus atlanticus is panmictic, whereas the Indo-Pacific Glaucus marginatus contains two pairs of cryptic species with overlapping distributions. Within the G. marginatus species complex, a parallel reproductive change has occurred in each cryptic species pair: the loss of a bursa copulatrix. Available G. marginatus data are most consistent with non-geographical speciation events, but we cannot rule out the possibility of allopatric speciation, followed by iterative range extension and secondary overlap. Irrespective of ancestral range distributions, our results implicate a central role for reproductive character differentiation in glaucinin speciation—a novel result in a planktonic system.     

A novel VWF variant associated with type 2 von Willebrand disease in German Wirehaired Pointers and German Shorthaired Pointers

Von Willebrand disease (VWD), caused by deficiency of the von Willebrand factor (VWF), is the most common bleeding disorder in humans and dogs. The complete cDNA encoding VWF of a German Wirehaired Pointer with type 2 VWD was sequenced, and we found four variants that alter the amino acid sequence. These variants were: c.1657T>G corresponding to p.Trp553Gly; c.1777G>A (p.Glu593Lys); c.4937A>G (p.Asn1646Ser) and c.5544G>A (p.Met1848Ile). A haplotype of the c.1657G, c.1777A and c.4937G alleles co‐segregated with the VWF antigen level in a four‐generation pedigree with the disease. Healthy dogs of the breed were found that were homozygous for the c.1777A or the c.5544A allele, indicating that these variants do not cause VWD. Dogs that were homozygous for the c.4937G allele and had no signs of a bleeding disorder were observed in the Chinese Crested dog breed. Thus, only the c.1657G variant was found in the homozygous state exclusively in VWD affecteds, and this variant is the strongest candidate to be the cause of VWD type 2 in the German Wirehaired Pointer breed. A screen of German Shorthaired Pointers indicated that the variant also segregates with VWD in this breed.     

Systematics and phylogeny of the caryophyllidia-bearing dorids (Mollusca, Nudibranchia), with descriptions of a new genus and four new species from Indo-Pacific deep waters

The phylogenetic relationships of the caryophyllidia-bearing dorids are studied, based on the examination of the type species of all the genera previously described. The phylogenetic hypothesis supports that the caryophyllidia-bearing dorids are a monophyletic group and the sister group of the clade formed by Astemnotus Ehrenberg, 1831 and Halgerda Bergh, 1880. Several genera previously considered as valid or regarded as uncertain are here synonymized: Peronodoris Bergh, 1904, Trippa Bergh, 1877, Phlegmodoris Bergh, 1878, Petelodoris Bergh, 1881, Kentrodoris Bergh, 1876, Audura Bergh, 1878, Centrodoris P. Fischer, 1883, Anisodoris Bergh, 1898, Awuka Er. Marcus, 1955, Rhabdochiia P. Fischer, 1883, Boreodoris Odhner, 1939, Dictyodoris Bergh, 1880, Gravieria Vayssiere, 1912, Aporodoris Ihering, 1886. The following genera are regarded as valid: Astemnotus, Atagema J.E. Gray, 1850, Jorunna Bergh, 1876, Platydoris Bergh, 1877, Diaulula Bergh, 1878, Rostanga Bergh, 1879, Halgerda Bergh, 1880, Baptodoris Bergh, 1884, Gargamella Bergh, 1894, Alloiodoris Bergh, 1904, Sclerodoris Eliot, 1904, Taringa Er. Marcus, 1955, Thorybopus Bouchet, 1977. The new genus Nophodoris is described based on two new species from New Caledonia deep waters. Two additional new species from New Caledonia belonging to the genera Atagema and Gargamella are also described. Nomenclatural and taxonomic problems are discussed, and several type species, neotypes and lectotypes are selected.     

Collections of 18th Century Vilna Botanists in the Józef Jundziłł Herbarium

Summary

The herbarium of Jσzef Jundzi?tl (1794–1877), a professor of botany at Vilna University, contains plants of the 18th century Vilna botanists: Jean Emmanuel Gilibert (1741–1814)and Johann Georg Forster (1754–1794). The collection of J. G. Forster consists of 51 sheets, and there are 29 sheets of J. E. Gilibert. J. G. Forster's plants are South African species, which could have been collected during James Cook's second voyage (1772–1775). There are no data connected with the J. E. Gilibert collection.     

中国楼梯草属(荨麻科)植物省级分布新记录

报道荨麻科楼梯草属7种1变种植物在我国6个省区分布的新记录,其中广西分布新记录的有算盘楼梯草和多歧楼梯草,贵州分布新记录的有曲毛楼梯草,海南分布新记录的有锐齿楼梯草和深绿楼梯草,湖南分布新记录的有短毛楼梯草,四川分布新记录的有丝梗楼梯草,云南分布新记录的有细角楼梯草。     

ON THE STATUS OF THE GENERIC NAMES OF THE NUDIBRANCH GENERA CATRIONA, CRATENA, HERVIA, RIZZOLIA AND TRINCHESIA

The genus Catriona Winckworth (1941) is synonymous with TrinchesiaPruvot-Fol (1951) but not with Trinchesia von Jhering (1879). It has priority over Trinchesia Pruvot-Fol. The genus Cratena Bergh (1864) is valid and synonymous withRizzolia Trinchese (1877) but not with Hervia Bergh (1871). The genus Hervia Bergh (1871) is synonymous with Facelina Alderand Hancock (1855), but not all species of Hervia can be includedin the latter genus, and these should, therefore, be distributedamong other genera, some of which are listed. (Received 8 October 1954;     

31个楼梯草属(荨麻科)植物名称后选模式的指定

查阅保存于英国爱丁堡植物园标本馆(E)、华南植物园标本馆(IBSC)、邱园植物标本馆(K)、法国巴黎自然历史博物馆植物标本馆(P)和奥地利维也纳大学植物标本馆(WU)的荨麻科(Urticaceae)标本,发现在楼梯草属(Elatostema J.R.Forster & G.Forster)中有23种8变种的名称在原始描述中没有引证明确的标本,或引证有2份或2份以上的标本,但没指定模式.根据<国际植物命名法规>9.4、9.9和9.10,以及辅则9A.1、9A.2、9A.3和9A.4的精神,对这些名称做出后选模式指定.     

A phylogenetic analysis and systematic revision of the cryptobranch dorids (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Anthobranchia)

The phylogenetic relationships of the cryptobranch dorids are studied based on morphological characters of species belonging to all previously described genera. The phylogenetic hypothesis supports the cryptobranch dorids as a monophyletic group. There are two major clades within the Cryptobranchia: the radula‐less dorids (Porostomata), and the radula‐bearing dorids ( Labiostomata new taxon ). Labiostomata consists of those taxa sharing a more recent common ancestor with Actinocyclus than with Mandelia, and includes several monophyletic groups: Actinocyclidae, Chromodorididae, Dorididae and Discodorididae. The traditional group Phanerobranchia is probably paraphyletic. The new classification proposed for the Cryptobranchia addresses concepts of phylogenetic nomenclature, but is in accordance with the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The following genera of cryptobranch dorids are regarded as valid: Doris Linnaeus, 1758, Asteronotus Ehrenberg, 1831, Atagema J. E. Gray, 1850, Jorunna Bergh, 1876, Discodoris Bergh, 1877, Platydoris Bergh, 1877, Thordisa Bergh, 1877, Diaulula Bergh, 1878, Aldisa Bergh, 1878, Rostanga Bergh, 1879, Aphelodoris Bergh, 1879, Halgerda Bergh, 1880, Peltodoris Bergh, 1880, Hoplodoris Bergh, 1880, Paradoris Bergh, 1884, Baptodoris Bergh, 1884, Geitodoris Bergh, 1891, Gargamella Bergh, 1894, Alloiodoris Bergh, 1904, Sclerodoris Eliot, 1904, Otinodoris White, 1948, Taringa Er. Marcus, 1955 , Sebadoris Er. Marcus & Ev. Marcus, 1960, Conualevia Collier & Farmer, 1964, Thorybopus Bouchet, 1977, Goslineria Valdés, 2001, Pharodoris Valdés, 2001, Nophodoris Valdés & Gosliner, 2001. Several genera previously considered as valid are here regarded as synonyms of other names: Doridigitata d’Orbigny, 1839, Doriopsis Pease, 1860, Staurodoris Bergh, 1878, Fracassa Bergh, 1878, Archidoris Bergh, 1878, Anoplodoris Fischer, 1883, Etidoris Ihering, 1886, Phialodoris Bergh, 1889, Montereina MacFarland, 1905, Ctenodoris Eliot, 1907, Carryodoris Vayssière, 1919, Austrodoris Odhner, 1926, Guyonia Risbec, 1928, Erythrodoris Pruvot‐Fol, 1933, Neodoris Baba, 1938, Siraius Er. Marcus, 1955, Tayuva Ev. Marcus & Er. Marcus, 1967, Nuvuca Ev. Marcus & Er. Marcus, 1967, Doriorbis Kay & Young, 1969, Pupsikus Er. Marcus & Ev. Marcus, 1970, Percunas Ev. Marcus, 1970, Verrillia Ortea & Ballesteros, 1981 . The genera Artachaea Bergh, 1882, Carminodoris Bergh, 1889 and Homoiodoris Bergh, 1882 have been poorly described and no type material is known to exist. They are regarded as incertae sedis until more material becomes available. The genus names Xenodoris Odhner in Franc, 1968 and Cryptodoris Ostergaard, 1950 are unavailable within the meaning of the Code. Hexabranchus Ehrenberg, 1831 is not a cryptobranch dorid, as suggested by other authors, because of the lack of a retractile gill. Other nomenclatural and taxonomic problems are discussed, and several type species, neotypes and lectotypes are selected. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2002, 136 , 535?636.     

Further studies on the anatomy and ecology of opisthobranch molluscs feeding on the scleractinian coral Pontes

Three further species of opisthobranch molluscs are reported to feed on the scleractinian coral Pontes in Tanzania. Further information on Cuthona poritophages Rudman, 1979, is also included. The anatomy of the aeolid Phestilla lugubris {Bergh, 1870, = P. sibogae Bergh, 1905) and a new species of Phestilla is described, as is the anatomy of the arminacean Pinufius rebus. The new species of Phestilla , and Pinufius , are, for the first time, reported to feed on Porites. Notes on the anatomy of the type-species of Phestilla, P. melanobrachia Bergh, 1874, are included to make possible a definition of the genus Phestilla.
Aspects of the feeding biology, life history, defence mechanisms and habitat specificity of the four Porites-feeding opisthobranchs are described and discussed. The four species are shown to have evolved radular teeth of remarkably similar shape. Each species utilizes a different part of the coral tissue as food. The three aeolids have replaced functional cnidosacs at the tip of their cerata with batteries of large secretory cells.
Phestilla lugubris and Pinufius rebus are also reported for the first time from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland and the new species of Phestilla is reported from Queensland and Hawaii.     

The taxonomy and biology of further aeolidacean and arminacean nudibranch molluscs with symbiotic zooxanthellae

The occurrence of symbiotic zooxanthellae in further aeolid and arminacean nudibranch molluscs is described for the first time. The aeolid Aeolidiopsis ransoni Pruvot-Fol is redescribed, and a new species of Aeolidiopsis , also feeding on the colonial zoantharian Palythoa , is described. Both have symbiotic zooxanthellae. The taxonomy of the family Aeolidiidae is discussed and the genus Berghia Trinchese, 1877 is considered a synonym of Spurilla Bergh, 1864. Spurilla major (Eliot, 1903) and a new species of Spurilla are reported to have zooxanthellae while another new species of Spurilla is without zooxanthellae. The glaucid aeolid Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas) is shown to have symbiotic zooxanthellae, as is the arminacean Doridomorpha gardineri Eliot, which is reported to feed on the alcyonarian blue coral, Heliopora. In all cases, the morphological adaptations developed for this symbiosis are described. Further notes on the Porites-fetding arminacean Pinufius rebus Marcus & Marcus and the aeolid Phestilla lugubris (Bergh) are included and a facultative symbiosis with zooxanthellae is suggested for the latter. The tion of symbiosis with zooxanthellae within nudibranchs is discussed and it is suggested that the relationship has evolved independently on several occasions.     

Die Gattung Bathydoris Bergh, 1884 (Gnathodoridacea) im phylogenetischen System der Nudibranchia (Opisthobranchia, Gastropoda)

The genus Bathydoris Bergh, 1884 (Gnathodoridacea) in the phylogenetic system of the Nudibranchia (Opisthobranchiu, Gastropoda) The position of the genus Bathydoris Bergh, 1884 in the phylogenetic system of the Nudibranchia is discussed. Doridoxa Bergh, 1900, a genus which is assigned to the taxon Gnathodoridacea together with the genus Bathydoris, is taken out from this taxon, lacking snapomorphies. Doridoxa is considered to be a sister grou of the Euctenidiacea, with the transrormation of the right digestive gland into a caecum as the only synaomorphy with the latter. The Gnathodoridacea with the one enus Bathydoris is removed from the taxon Doridacea and considered to be the sister group or the latter. Gnathodoridacea and Doridacea form the taxon Euctenidiacea with the synapomorphy “dorsomedial position of anus and nephroproct”.     

Molecular phylogenetics of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Physalia</Emphasis> (Cnidaria: Siphonophora) in New Zealand coastal waters reveals cryptic diversity

Physalia is a genus of pelagic colonial hydrozoans often known by common names such as ‘Portuguese-man-of-war’ or ‘bluebottle’. Siphonophore systematists generally recognise only a single species in this genus, Physalia physalis, however the name Physalia utriculus is also still in common use, which has led to considerable taxonomic confusion. With some morphological variation between global regions there is the possibility that this genus holds a substantial amount of cryptic variation. We seek to examine the genetic structure of Physalia present in New Zealand coastal waters. Fifty-four specimens collected from 13 locations around New Zealand and Australia were sequenced for both mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) of the nuclear ribosomal cistron. Sequences were analysed using maximum likelihood and split decomposition neighbour networks to determine conflict between clans (the unrooted analog of clades). Three clans were identified from both the COI and ITS sequences. The results are complex and clans are not consistent between the two genes. Nevertheless, it seems that there is substantial cryptic diversity amongst Physalia present in New Zealand coastal waters.     

Miscellaneous taxonomic notes on Elatostema (Urticaceae) from China and its adjacent area

Based on examination of specimens and field observations of Elatostema J. R. Forster & G. Forster (Urticaceae) from China and its adjacent area, one new species, E. vietnamense Q. Lin & L. D. Duan from Bach Ma Natl. Park, Thua Thien‐Hue Province, Vietnam, is described and illustrated. Pellionia ambigua Wedd. from Khasi Hills, Churra, Assam (=Meghalaya), India and P. rhizomatosa Gagnep. from Annam, Vietnam are transferred as Elatostema ambiguum (Wedd.) Q. Lin and E. rhizomatosum (Gagnep.) Q. Lin, respectively. Elatostema glochidioides W. T. Wang from Guangxi and Guizhou and Provinces, China is regarded as a new synonym of E. ramosissimum Rein.     

Divergent regulation of terpenoid metabolism in the trichomes of wild and cultivated tomato species

The diversification of chemical production in glandular trichomes is important in the development of resistance against pathogens and pests in two species of tomato. We have used genetic and genomic approaches to uncover some of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that underlie the divergence in trichome metabolism between the wild species Solanum habrochaites LA1777 and its cultivated relative, Solanum lycopersicum. LA1777 produces high amounts of insecticidal sesquiterpene carboxylic acids (SCAs), whereas cultivated tomatoes lack SCAs and are more susceptible to pests. We show that trichomes of the two species have nearly opposite terpenoid profiles, consisting mainly of monoterpenes and low levels of sesquiterpenes in S. lycopersicum and mainly of SCAs and very low monoterpene levels in LA1777. The accumulation patterns of these terpenoids are different during development, in contrast to the developmental expression profiles of terpenoid pathway genes, which are similar in the two species, but they do not correlate in either case with terpenoid accumulation. However, our data suggest that the accumulation of monoterpenes in S. lycopersicum and major sesquiterpenes in LA1777 are linked both genetically and biochemically. Metabolite analyses after targeted gene silencing, inhibitor treatments, and precursor feeding all show that sesquiterpene biosynthesis relies mainly on products from the plastidic 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate pathway in LA1777 but less so in the cultivated species. Furthermore, two classes of sesquiterpenes produced by the wild species may be synthesized from distinct pools of precursors via cytosolic and plastidial cyclases. However, highly trichome-expressed sesquiterpene cyclase-like enzymes were ruled out as being involved in the production of major LA1777 sesquiterpenes.