Chromosome Numbers in the Genera Cousinia, Olgaea and Syreitschikovia (Compositae)

The scarce karyological data available for both the Arctium-Cousinia complex and the Onopordum group has led us to provide more data essential to understand the karyological evolution of these taxa. Chromosome counts were made on somatic metaphases using the squash technique. We report 20 chromosome number records for the genus Cousinia s. lat. from the area of Near East and Central Asia. Thirteen of them are first chromosome counts for the studied species, and the remaining seven records provide confirmation of scarce or uncertain previous data. We also present the first chromosome counts for three of the 13 sections of this genus. Our records for Arctioid species show karyological uniformity with 2n=36. In the Cousinioid group, 13 records agree with the three major numbers of its characteristic dysploidy series 2n=22, 24 and 26. We report first chromosome counts for the genera Olgaea and Syreitschikovia from Kazakhstan, being 2n=26 and 24, respectively. Our results confirm a hypothesis that the Arctioid and Cousinioid clades, although forming a monophyletic group, have followed different evolutionary paths. In the Onopordum group, our results confirm the existence of two lineages; the colonizing biennial taxa are characterized by n?=?17, while the perennial genera have n?=?12, 13. The evidence for recent polyploidization is absent in both the Arctium-Cousinia complex and the Onopordum group.     

Aspergillus yunnanensis,a new and rare species in the Aspergillus section Jani

Aspergillus is a monophyletic genus comprising the subgenera Aspergillus, Circumdati, Cremei, Fumigati, Nidulantes and Polypaecilum. The subgenus Circumdati contains many economically important species and mycotoxin producers. Section Jani was recently introduced with morphological and molecular support. In the present study, two strains isolated from farmland soil were assigned in section Jani based on multi-locus phylogenetic analyses but showed low similarity with existing species. Further morphological observation found they had wider vesicles and conidia connections which were different from the known species. Based on phylogenetic and morphological data, Aspergillus yunnanensis was introduced as the third species in section Jani. Members in section Jani are rarely distributed, this is the first report of this section in China.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomphorhynchus laevis</Emphasis>: An invasive species in the river Rhine?

Acanthocephalans of the globally distributed genus Pomphorhynchus have been intensively studied during the past decades. In Europe, Pomphorhynchus species have shown a certain degree of variability in their morphological characteristics and behavior. Nowadays two different Pomphorhynchus species, namely P. laevis and P. tereticollis, have been described for different waterbodies in Western and Central Europe. However, until now it appears that both species do not co-occur at the same time in the same habitat. We assume that due to their very similar morphology some of the individuals that were identified based on their morphological characteristics as either of the two species might have been misidentified in previous studies. To avoid this possible source of error, we used molecular marker (ITS 1, COX genes) to identify Pomphorhynchus individuals from European eels that were sampled within a time period of 12 years from the Rhine River to elucidate the distribution of the two species in Western and Central Europe. Our results together with a re-examination of former studies provide evidence that P. laevis might have been introduced together with potential host species (intermediate, paratenic, and/or definitive) from the Ponto-Caspian region, and that it outcompeted and repelled the endemic P. tereticollis from the mainstream of the river. Our results also provide first evidence on the former coexistence of both Pomphorhynchus species in the river Rhine.     

Pachyseris inattesa sp. n. (Cnidaria,Anthozoa, Scleractinia): a new reef coral species from the Red Sea and its phylogenetic relationships

A new scleractinian coral species, Pachyseris inattesa sp. n., is described from the Red Sea. Despite a superficial resemblance with some species in the agariciid genus Leptoseris with which it has been previously confused, P. inattesa sp. n. has micro-morphological characters typical of the genus Pachyseris. This genus, once part of the Agariciidae, is comprised of five extant species and is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific. It is currently incertae sedis as a result of recent molecular analysis and appears to be closely related to the Euphylliidae. A molecular phylogenetic reconstruction including P. inattesa sp. n., the genus type species P. rugosa, and P. speciosa, all present in the Red Sea, was performed using the mitochondrial intergenic spacer between COI and 16S-rRNA. The results confirm that P. inattesa sp. n. is a monophyletic lineage closely related to the other Pachyseris species examined.     

Genetic and morphological diversity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tragopogon graminifolius</Emphasis> DC. (Asteraceae) in Iran

Tragopogon graminifolius DC. is a medicinal plant species of the genus Tragopogon L. (Asteraceae) that grows in different regions of Iran and is extensively used by locals. There is no report on genetic variability and population structure of this important plant species. Therefore, we studied the genetic diversity, population structure and morphological variability of 14 geographical populations of Tragopogon graminifolius in Iran. AMOVA and Gst analyses revealed significant molecular differences among the studied populations. Mantel test showed significant correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance of the studied populations and indicated that the neighboring populations had a higher degree of gene flow. STRUCTURE plot identified three main gene pools for Tragopogon graminifolius in Iran and population assignment test revealed that gene flow occurred mostly among populations of the same gene flow. The studied populations differed significantly in their morphological and genetic features. These results may be of use for future conservation of this important plant species.     

Genetic and morphometric markers are able to differentiate three morphotypes belonging to Section Algarobia of genus Prosopis (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae)

The section Algarobia of genus Prosopis includes promising species for reforestation and afforestation programmes in arid and semiarid regions, mainly of the Americas. Many interspecific natural hybrid combinations have been described in this group. In this paper we analysed a hybrid zone in Chaco biogeographical province in Argentina, where P. ruscifolia and P. alba overlap and hybridise producing intermediate fertile hybrid forms. Eleven morphological traits and 76 loci RAPD were analysed to determine the effect of hybridization between these species. The comparison of morphological traits among groups yielded significant or highly significant differences for all traits. Estimates of H _e in P. alba and P. ruscifolia did not differ from each other, but both showed significantly lower values than the hybrid group. The analysis of correlations between shared phenotypes and pair-wise relationships estimated from RAPD gave also strong support to the hypothesis that most of the phenotypic traits analysed have significant heritability. The analyses of population structure and clustering based on morphological and molecular data by DAPC and STRUCTURE were rather consistent and indicated that the three morphotypes studied here are differentiated with low overlapping. All results indicated that despite the occurrence of natural hybridization and introgression, interspecific gene flow would be limited by hybrid breakdown or natural selection favouring the maintenance of species integrity.     

Morphometric analysis of six Gerbillus species (Rodentia,Gerbillinae) from Tunisia

Size and shape changes in the skull of the genus Gerbillus were investigated using geometric morphometrics. Six species from Tunisia were studied (G. gerbillus, G. campestris, G. nanus, G. tarabuli, G. simoni and G. latastei). Statistical analyses of shape variability allowed us to discriminate three morphological groups which are congruent with the three groups suggested by previous morphological and molecular studies. However, our results contrast with previous molecular investigations. In fact, according to results obtained by the use of principal component analysis, canonical variate analysis and UPGMA, we found a higher degree of divergence between the subgenus Dipodillus and the other two subgenera Gerbillus and Hendecapleura. This fact suggests that the morphometric differences observed among species within the genus Gerbillus are not mainly related to phylogeny. To reconciliate the molecular and morphological approaches, we propose a hypothesis of differential rates of phenotypic evolution in the genus Gerbillus. In this view, the species belonging to the subgenus Dipodillus evolved apomorphic features of the skull likely related to a higher degree of habitat specialization. By contrast, the more generalist Gerbillus and Hendecapleura subgenera show less differentiated plesiomorphic morphology.     

High intraspecific genetic and morphological variation in the pioneer lichen Cladonia rei colonising slag dumps

This study investigates the genetic and morphological variability of the lichen Cladonia rei inhabiting strongly contaminated postsmelting slag dumps in southern Poland. Altogether, 27 C. rei samples were analysed, including 17 from a single population in one dump. The phylogenetic analysis includes samples of C. rei, outgroup species, and external sequences of Cladonia section representatives from GenBank. Comparative analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences revealed the presence of 19 C. rei haplotypes overall, including several of the most frequent, of which 11 are represented by single individuals only. As many as 12 haplotypes were recorded within a single population. Three strongly supported monophyletic clades comprised of specimens from different geographical regions were recovered. Morphometric analysis showed great phenotypic variability within particular clades. Apart from a full range of previously known morphological forms of the species, an additional specific morphotype was recognised in the dumps; however, its representatives do not create a monophyletic group. High genetic variability within a single population suggests that C. rei has a great potential for colonising anthropogenic habitats. This attribute emphasises the role of this lichen as an essential pioneer in the early stages of natural regeneration of such sites.     

Morphological differences between violets growing at heavy metal polluted and non-polluted sites

Environmental conditions, especially pollution of soils by heavy metals, can severely affect plant morphology, anatomy and reproduction. In present investigation, the morphological variability of forest violets (Viola reichenbachiana and V. riviniana), their degree of colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and their reproduction properties were studied using samples from ore-bearing areas with soils rich in heavy metals. In these habitats, individuals with typical morphological characters of V. reichenbachiana and V. riviniana were not identified but populations were intermediate between these two species. Three ore-bearing areas with soils of a high content but low extractable amounts of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd) were covered by anthropogenic pine or beech forests, contrary to typical calamine heaps with metallophyte floras. Violets growing on ore-bearing areas were fully fertile, deposited Pb and Zn mainly in roots and had low Cd levels both in shoots and roots. Plants differed in AMF colonization with the degrees varying from nil to moderate. The violets growing in these areas were not affected in their reproduction and can be considered as stabilized introgressive forms or ecotypes of parental species on these soil conditions.     

Identity and delimitation of the American species of Litsea Lam. (Lauraceae): a morphological approach

The genus Litsea in America is a small group of species with high variability that has not been evaluated rigorously; authors recognize either three or as many as 11 species because of the unclear delimitation of taxa. Our focus in this study was to resolve the number, names, and distinguishing features of the American species of Litsea, based on strict morphological analyses, namely Population aggregation analysis and Multivariate analyses. Population aggregation analysis revealed a large number of polymorphisms in all populations; nevertheless, L. aestivalis was distinguished from the other species. Ordination of character variability by principal components analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling supported the distinction of seven additional species. Finally, eight species of Litsea are recognized in America and a key for their identification is provided.     

Morphological variability and method of opening of the Devonian acritarch Navifusa bacilla ()

The morphological variability of the genus Navifusa Combaz et al. 1967 ex Eisenack 1976 has been investigated within three populations from a Lower Devonian section at Císa?ská rokle, near Srbsko (Barrandian area, Czech Republic). All observed specimens can be attributed to the single species Navifusa bacilla. Differences in size ratio are interpreted ecologically, initiated by sea level changes. The method of cyst opening of this species is discussed, as it allows recognition of different phases of excystment.     

Genome synteny and evolution of AABB allotetraploids in Hibiscus section Furcaria revealed by interspecific hybridization, ISSR and SSR markers

Two tetraploid species of Hibiscus section Furcaria, H. acetosella and H. radiatus, have an AABB genomic constitution. The diploid species, H. cannabinus (AA) and H. surattensis (BB), were hybridized to develop interspecific alloploid (AB) hybrids. The synthetic interspecific hybrid exhibited intermediate morphological characters, with expression of domestication-related traits, but exhibited higher genomic association with the B genome donor. Evolution of allopolyploids in section Furcaria was found to be associated with mutations in repetitive sequences, leading to higher variation in the tetraploid genome. Allopolyploidization was observed to be associated with both loss of repetitive sequences and appearance of new alleles. Genetic diversity analysis using ISSR and cross-species SSR markers revealed a closer association of diploid genomes and high variability of tetraploid genomes. The evolution of AABB tetraploids in this section possibly took place by hybridization of the A and B genome in geographically isolated regions.     

Molecular phylogeny of baculiform desmid taxa (Zygnematophyceae)

The baculiform, rod-like morphotypes belong to several phylogenetic lineages within Desmidiaceae (Zygnematophyceae, Viridiplantae). Some, for example the genus Pleurotaenium, form independent lineages, but reductive evolution of complicated desmid cells toward baculiform morphology also occurred in individual lineages, for example Micrasterias. In this genus, the rod like Triploceras forms evolved from more complex ancestors. In this study, we tested for an independent position of the subtropical and tropical genus Triplastrum, previously separated from Triploceras on the basis of morphological data. In addition, monophyly of Pleurotaenium was also investigated with multiple isolates corresponding to seven species of this genus, including the morphologically dissimilar P. nodosum and P. ovatum. Finally, two isolates of Docidium baculum were also investigated. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of concatenated rbcL?+?coxIII sequence data implied that the baculiform taxa investigated were in three distantly related positions within Desmidiaceae. The genus Triplastrum proved to be unrelated to Triploceras, because it clustered in the “omniradiate” lineage of Desmidiaceae among morphologically dissimilar taxa. The genus Pleurotaenium was monophyletic, but P. ovatum was recovered in a weakly supported sister position to all the other members of the genus. The trnG^ucc phylogeny of Pleurotaenium taxa concurred with the rbcL?+?coxIII phylogram, and generally revealed the poor morphological concepts of some species in this genus. The most common taxa P. ehrenbergii and P. trabecula were resolved as polyphyletic because their strains were distributed among several strongly supported clades. However, strains of P. nodosum and P. archeri formed separate, well supported lineages within the genus.     

Chemical variability in volatile composition among five species of genus Solidago (Asteraceae)

Solidago is a genus of more than 120 species of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family and mainly distributed in Americas. To explore the differences of volatile components and analyze their correlations as well variability among the five species (Solidago caesia, Solidago tortifolia, Solidago glomerata, Solidago nemoralis and Solidago rugosa) of this genus, their volatile components were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and then the principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out with PAST (PAST2.08). The results indicated that Solidago caesia almost characterized by the same chemotype with Solidago glomerata due to their common essential oil compositions b-cubebene, (1R)-(+)-α-pinene and (−)-a-cadinol while Solidago nemoralis has little variability with Solidago rugosa and with the presence of germacrene D, limonene and sabenene as the representative compounds. But there is chemical variability between Solidago tortifolia and other four species. Sabenene and πcalacorene are the major volatile compounds of Solidago tortifolia.     

First report of the family Palaeosetidae (Lepidoptera: Hepialoidea) from mainland China,with description of a new Ogygioses species and its phylogenetic position within the genus

The family Palaeosetidae is newly recorded from mainland China. A new species of the genus Ogygioses, O. maoershana sp. nov., is described from Guangxi Province, China. The adults, male and female genitalia, venation, head and legs structures are illustrated. Some ecological information and a key to all species of the genus are also provided. The phylogenetic position of the new species in the genus Ogygioses is inferred as intermediate between primitive O. luangensis Kristensen and other four derived species based on morphological characters and DNA barcodes sequences.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D1FD6818-500A-4AE1-9F0B-13CB5A6E1ED4.     

Taxonomic Boundaries and Craniometric Variation in the Treeshrews (Scandentia,Tupaiidae) from the Palawan Faunal Region

The taxonomy of treeshrews (Order Scandentia) has long been complicated by ambiguous morphological species boundaries, and the treeshrews of the Palawan faunal region of the Philippines are no exception. Four named forms in the genus Tupaia Raffles, 1821, have been described from four island groups based on subtle qualitative morphological characters, and as many as three distinct species have been recognized. A recent molecular phylogenetic study of relationships among Tupaia species suggests that the two currently-recognized treeshrew species from the Palawan faunal region diverged very recently relative to other sister-species divergences within the genus and may not represent species-level taxonomic entities. Here we review the taxonomic and biogeographic histories of the Tupaia taxa from this region. We also collected craniodental data from 133 skulls of all four named forms, representing five island populations, and conducted univariate and multivariate analyses on these data. Our morphometric results are consistent with molecular results, further suggesting that there is insufficient evidence to recognize T. moellendorffi Matschie, 1898, as a separate species from T. palawanensis Thomas, 1894. Our analyses also revealed a craniodentally divergent population from the island of Balabac, which has never been considered a distinct subspecies (or species) from the population on Palawan. These results have conservation implications for the island populations in our analyses, but additional surveys and molecular evidence will be required to fully assess conservation priorities for the treeshrews of the Palawan faunal region.