The genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Osmoderma</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Trichiinae) in Siberia and the Russian Far East

A review of the species of the genus Osmoderma of Siberia and the Russian Far East is given. The species Osmoderma opicum coreanum Tauzin, 2013 was first identified in the fauna of Russia. The locality of O. davidis Fairmaire, 1887 in Buryatia, which was confirmed by material, is presented. The distribution of the East Asian species of this genus in the territory of Russia is analyzed in detail. The data on the phenology, trophic associations, and topical preferences are considered.     

A review of scarab beetles of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hoplia</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae) from the Russian Far East

A review of the species of the genus Hoplia from the Russian Far East is given. Lectotypes are designated for Anisoplia cincticollis Faldermann and Hoplia djukini Jacobson. Hoplia cincticollis (Faldermann) is recorded from the Russian Far East for the first time. An original key to the species of the genus Hoplia of the Russian Far East fauna is provided.     

The genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Copris</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae) in the Far East of Russia

The species of the genus Copris of the Russian Far East are reviewed. Copris tripartitus Waterhouse, 1875 is recorded for the fauna of Russia for the first time. The distribution of the Eastern Asian species of this genus in Russia is analyzed in detail. The data on their phenology, trophic associations, and habitat preferences are considered.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 1. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudapoderites</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Japonodeporaus</Emphasis>

The genus Deporaus from the Russian fauna is revised. Four species (D. pacatus, D. azarovae, D. septentrionalis, and D. hartmanni) of the subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus are found. Keys to the subgenera and to the species of the subgenus Pseudapoderites are given. The genus Deporaus, subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus, and four species are redescribed. The distribution of these species in Russia is discussed.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 2. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Roelofsideporaus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis>

The subgenera Roelofsideporaus and Deporaus s. str. of the genus Deporaus with four species (D. affectatus, D. unicolor, D. nidificus, and D. betulae) recorded from the Russian fauna are revised. Keys to the species of the subgenus Roelofsideporaus and to the females of the subgenera Roelofsideporaus and Deporaus s. str. are given. The distribution of D. nidificus in Russia is not confirmed.     

A description of the larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cinygmula unicolorata</Emphasis> Tshernova, 1979 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cinygmula malaisei</Emphasis> (Ulmer, 1927) (Ephemeroptera,Heptageniidae) from the Russian Far East

The larvae of Cinygmula malaisei (Ulmer, 1927) and Cinygmula unicolorata Tshernova, 1979 from the Russian Far East are described and illustrated. The larva of Cinygmula unicolorata is similar to those of Cinygmula putoranica Kluge, 1980 and Cinygmula uyka Gorovaya et Tiunova, 2013 but differs from the larva of C. uyka in the absence of gill filaments and from that of C. unicolorata in the shape of the first gill (tergalia). The upper outer margin of the first gill is rounded in the larva of C. unicolorata and almost straight in C. putoranica; the gills of C. unicolorata are matte and the trachea is poorly expressed, in contrast to the distinctly brown trachea of C. putoranica. The larvae of Cinygmula malaisei are similar to those of C. irina and C. autumnalis but differ from the latter in the presence of gill filaments. The larva of C. malaise differs from that of C. irina in the rounded outer margin of the first gill, the shape of gills VI and VII, and in the size of the leg segments.     

New combinations and typifications in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bistorta</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Persicaria</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygonum,</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rumex</Emphasis> (Polygonaceae)

New combinations are proposed in anticipation of the Polygonaceae treatment in the forthcoming volume of Intermountain Flora: Polygonum kelloggii var. esotericum, P. kelloggii var. watsonii , Rumex densiflorus var. pycnanthus , R. salicifolius var. utahensis, and R. occidentalis var. tomentellus. Typifications are proposed to facilitate ongoing studies in Polygonaceae and to maintain current usage.     

Species diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudocercospora</Emphasis> from Far East Asia

This study reflects on the monophyly of, and species diversity within, the genus Pseudocercospora in Far East Asia. Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of Pseudocercospora species were based on type specimens and ex-type cultures, which were collected from Japan and Taiwan. A phylogenetic tree was generated from multi-locus DNA sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer regions of the nrDNA cistron (ITS), partial actin (actA), and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), as well as the partial DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2). Based on these results, Pseudocercospora amelanchieris on Amelanchier and Ps. iwakiensis on Ilex were newly described from Japan, and a further 22 types (incl. two neo-, five lecto-, and 15 epitypes), were designated. The genus Pseudocercospora as presently circumscribed was found to be monophyletic, while the secondary barcodes, actA, tef1, and rpb2 were shown to be well suited to delimitate species within the genus.     

A record of the Far Eastern crane fly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tipula</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Platytipula</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">moiwana</Emphasis> (Diptera,Tipulidae) in Moscow

The crane fly Tipula (Platytipula) moiwana (Matsumura, 1916) occurs in the southern Russian Far East, including Sakhalin Island and the Kuril Islands, in Japan (Hokkaido), and in northeastern China. Recently this species was found in Moscow. The reason for the appearance of this species in Moscow is unknown.     

Steroid compounds from the Far East starfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteraster obscurus</Emphasis> and the ophiura <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asteronyx loveni</Emphasis>

Seven sulfated polyhydroxysteroids were isolated from the Far East starfish Pteraster obscurus and the ophiura (snake star) Asteronyx loveni (collected in the Sea of Okhotsk) and characterized: disodium and sodium salts of (20R)-24-methyl-2β-hydroxycholesta-5,24(28)-diene-3α,21-diyl disulfate, (20R)-5α-cholestane-3β,21-diyl disulfate, (20R)-3β-hydroxy-5α-cholestan-21-yl sulfate, (20R)-cholest-5-ene-3β,21-diyl disulfate, (20R)-2β-hydroxycholest-5-ene-3α,21-diyl disulfate, (20R)-cholest-5-en-3β-yl sulfate, and (20R)-5α-cholestan-3β-yl sulfate. The first four compounds turned out to be new, whereas the others were identical to the known compounds. Structures of the isolated steroids were identified by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and other physicochemical methods. The compounds isolated from starfish are structurally similar to typical ophiuroid metabolites, which support the opinion of some taxonomists that starfish and ophiuroids are phylogenetically related classes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>1<Emphasis Type="Italic">/copia</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>3<Emphasis Type="Italic">/gypsy</Emphasis>-like DNA sequences in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus </Emphasis>species

Two repeated DNA sequences isolated from a partial genomic DNA library of Helianthus annuus, p HaS13 and p HaS211, were shown to represent portions of the int gene of a Ty3 /gypsy retroelement and of the RNase-Hgene of a Ty1 /copia retroelement, respectively. Southern blotting patterns obtained by hybridizing the two probes to BglII- or DraI-digested genomic DNA from different Helianthus species showed p HaS13 and p HaS211 were parts of dispersed repeats at least 8 and 7 kb in length, respectively, that were conserved in all species studied. Comparable hybridization patterns were obtained in all species with p HaS13. By contrast, the patterns obtained by hybridizing p HaS211 clearly differentiated annual species from perennials. The frequencies of p HaS13- and p HaS211-related sequences in different species were 4.3x10(4)-1.3x10(5) copies and 9.9x10(2)-8.1x10(3) copies per picogram of DNA, respectively. The frequency of p HaS13-related sequences varied widely within annual species, while no significant difference was observed among perennial species. Conversely, the frequency variation of p HaS211-related sequences was as large within annual species as within perennials. Sequences of both families were found to be dispersed along the length of all chromosomes in all species studied. However, Ty3 /gypsy-like sequences were localized preferentially at the centromeric regions, whereas Ty1/ copia-like sequences were less represented or absent around the centromeres and plentiful at the chromosome ends. These findings suggest that the two sequence families played a role in Helianthusgenome evolution and species divergence, evolved independently in the same genomic backgrounds and in annual or perennial species, and acquired different possible functions in the host genomes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quinua</Emphasis> and Relatives (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium</Emphasis> sect.<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium</Emphasis> subsect.<Emphasis Type="Italic">Celluloid</Emphasis>)

Traditionally viewed as an Andean grain crop,Chenopodium quinoa Willd. includes domesticated populations that are not Andean, and Andean populations that are not domesticated. Comparative analysis of leaf morphology and allozyme frequencies have demonstrated that Andean populations, both domesticated(quinua) and free-living(ajara), represent an exceptionally homogeneous unit that is well differentiated from allied domesticates of coastal Chile(quingua) and freeliving populations of the Argentine lowlands(C. hircinum). This pattern of relationships indicates that Andean populations represent a monophyletic crop/weed system that has possibly developed through cyclic differentiation (natural vs. human selection) and introgressive hybridization. Relative levels of variation suggest that this complex originated in the southern Andes, possibly from wild types allied withC. hircinum, with subsequent dispersal north to Colombia and south to the Chilean coast. Coastal populations were apparently isolated from post-dispersal differentiation and homogenization that occurred in the Andes. Other data point toward a center of origin in the northern Andes with secondary centers of genetic diversity subsequently developing in the southern Andes and the plains of Argentina. Comparative linkage of South American taxa, all tetraploid, with North American tetraploids of the subsection will eventually clarify this problem. While the possibility of a direct phyletic connection betweenC. quinoa and the Mexican domesticate(C. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae,) cannot be excluded, available evidence indicates that the latter represents an autonomous lineage that is associated with the basal tetraploid, C. b. subsp.berlandieri, through var.sinuatum, whereas South American taxa show possible affinities to either var. zschackei or var.berlandieri. An extinct domesticate of eastern North America,C. b. subsp.jonesianum, represents either another instance of independent domestication, possibly from subsp. b. var.zschackei, or a northeastern outlier of subsp.nuttalliae.     

Flies (Diptera) Associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygraphus proximus</Emphasis> Blandford, 1894 (Coleoptera,Curculionidae) in Siberia and the Russian Far East

The faunal composition of Diptera (Insecta) inhabiting the galleries of Polygraphus proximus over the territory of Siberia and the Russian Far East was studied. As a result, 14 species of Diptera were discovered representing 8 families. Within its secondary range, the invasive beetle P. proximus Blandford, 1894 is affected not only by the well-known introduced species Medetera penicillata Negrobov, 1970 but also by numerous other widespread predatory flies, such as Medetera excellens Frey, 1909, M. pinicola Kowarz, 1877, Xylophagus cinctus (De Geer, 1776), and Toxoneura ephippium (Zettersted, 1860). Four predatory fly species, M. penicillata, M. signaticornis Loew, 1857, Lonchaea bukowskii Czerny, 1934, and Xylophagus sachalinensis (Pleske, 1925), affect P. proximus within its native range in the Russian Far East. Data on the predation of each species of Diptera on several species of bark beetles testify to their polyphagy. Saprophagous larvae of Dicranomyia modesta (Meigen, 1818), Chalcosyrphus piger (Fabricius, 1794), Xylosciara lignicola (Winnertz, 1867), and Pseudolycoriella unispina (Mohrig et Krivosheina, 1983) were discovered in bark beetle galleries for the first time.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zygogramma suturalis</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae) in the South of the Russian Far East (Primorskii Territory): Results of introduction

The history of introduction and the current state of the populations and habitats of Zygogramma suturalis (Fabricius, 1775) in Primorskii Territory are reviewed. The introduction of Z. suturalis to the Russian Far East is shown to have failed to produce the desired result. After 30 years, the abundance of this species in Primorskii Territory is low and stable, increasing the importance of the use of native species (Neocrepidodera obscuritarsis and Chrysolina aurichalcea) in biological control.     

A New Species and Subgenus of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxicum</Emphasis> Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae, Toxicini) from the Russian Far East

A new tenebrionid species, Toxicum elviraesp. n. (Tenebrioninae: Toxicini), is described from Primorskii Territory of Russia. The new species belongs to the subgenus Mutiloxicumsubgen. n. and differs from the congeners in the absence of horns on the male head (only supra-orbital swellings and a small epistomal tubercle are present), in the erect pubescence on the outer surface of the mandible, and in the strongly projecting, acute anterior angles of the pronotum. The new species feeds on epiphytic foliose physcioid lichens, in contrast to the other Toxicum species which feed on bracket fungi (Polyporales). The taxonomic significance of the head armature in the subtribe Toxicina is discussed. A key to the genera of the subtribe Toxicini is given.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phuphanochloa,</Emphasis> a new bamboo genus (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Poaceae</Emphasis>: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bambusoideae</Emphasis>) from Thailand

Summary  A new monotypic bamboo genus Phuphanochloa (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) from north-eastern Thailand is described, together with a new species, P. speciosa.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In silico</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> characterization of the zebrafish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Danio rerio</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">gnrh3</Emphasis> (sGnRH) gene

Background

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is responsible for stimulation of gonadotropic hormone (GtH) in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG). The regulatory mechanisms responsible for brain specificity make the promoter attractive for in silico analysis and reporter gene studies in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Results

We have characterized a zebrafish [Trp⁷, Leu⁸] or salmon (s) GnRH variant, gnrh 3. The gene includes a 1.6 Kb upstream regulatory region and displays the conserved structure of 4 exons and 3 introns, as seen in other species. An in silico defined enhancer at -976 in the zebrafish promoter, containing adjacent binding sites for Oct-1, CREB and Sp1, was predicted in 2 mammalian and 5 teleost GnRH promoters. Reporter gene studies confirmed the importance of this enhancer for cell specific expression in zebrafish. Interestingly the promoter of human GnRH-I, known as mammalian GnRH (mGnRH), was shown capable of driving cell specific reporter gene expression in transgenic zebrafish.

Conclusions

The characterized zebrafish Gnrh3 decapeptide exhibits complete homology to the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) GnRH-III variant. In silico analysis of mammalian and teleost GnRH promoters revealed a conserved enhancer possessing binding sites for Oct-1, CREB and Sp1. Transgenic and transient reporter gene expression in zebrafish larvae, confirmed the importance of the in silico defined zebrafish enhancer at -976. The capability of the human GnRH-I promoter of directing cell specific reporter gene expression in zebrafish supports orthology between GnRH-I and GnRH-III.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of callus cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crataegus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aronia</Emphasis>

A genetic transformation system has been developed for callus cells of Crataegus aronia using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Callus culture was established from internodal stem segments incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5 mg l⁻¹ Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA). In order to optimize the callus culture system with respect to callus growth and coloration, different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators were tested. Results indicated that the best average fresh weight of red colored callus was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin (Kin) (callus maintenance medium). Callus cells were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium harboring the binary plasmid pCAMBIA1302 carrying the mgfp5 and hygromycin phosphotransferase (hptII) genes conferring green fluorescent protein (GFP) activity and hygromycin resistance, respectively. Putative transgenic calli were obtained 4 weeks after incubation of the co-cultivated explants onto maintenance medium supplemented with 50 mg l⁻¹ hygromycin. Molecular analysis confirmed the integration of the transgenes in transformed callus. To our knowledge, this is the first time to report an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in Crataegus aronia.     

Revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis> species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penstemon</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccanthera</Emphasis> subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis>

A revision of Penstemon sect. Saccanthera subsect. Serrulati includes a new species (P. salmonensis), a new variety (P. triphyllus var. infernalis), and the elevation of a subspecies to species (P. curtiflorus), bringing the total number of species to eight, which are keyed and described, complete with nomenclature and type citations.