Mycorrhizal compatibility and symbiotic reproduction of Gavilea australis,an endangered terrestrial orchid from south Patagonia

Gavilea australis is a terrestrial orchid endemic from insular south Argentina and Chile. Meeting aspects of mycorrhizal fungi identity and compatibility in this orchid species is essential for propagation and conservation purposes. These knowledge represent also a first approach to elucidate the mycorrhizal specificity of this species. In order to evaluate both the mycorrhizal compatibility and the symbiotic seed germination of G. australis, we isolated and identified its root endophytic fungal strains as well as those from two sympatric species: Gavilea lutea and Codonorchis lessonii. In addition, we tested two other strains isolated from allopatric terrestrial orchid species from central Argentina. All fungal strains formed coilings and pelotons inside protocorms and promoted, at varying degrees, seed germination, and protocorm development until seedlings had two to three leaves. These results suggest a low mycorrhizal specificity of G. australis and contribute to a better knowledge of the biology of this orchid as well as of other sympatric Patagonian orchid species, all of them currently under serious risk of extinction.     

A cladistic phylogeny of the family Patellidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

A phylogenetic hypothesis for the patellid limpets is reconstructed by cladistic analysis of morphological characters from 37 species, representing all but one of the living members of the family. Characters included in the analysis are derived from shell shape and microstructure, headfoot and pallial complex, radula and sperm. The species fall into four clades, providing the basis for a new phylogenetic classification into four monophyletic genera: Helcion (four species; southern Africa), Cymbula (eight species; southern Africa, eastern Atlantic, southern Indian Ocean), Scutellastra (17 species; southern and southwestern Africa, Australia, Indo-West Pacific, Eastern Pacific) and Patella (nine species; northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean). The analysis suggests sister-group relationships between Helcion and Cymbula, and between Scutellastra and Patella. In combination with present-day patterns of geographical distribution, this phylogenetic hypothesis is used to discuss the historical biogeography of the Patellidae. Scutellastra may have originated in southern Africa and dispersed across the Pacific, or alternatively may be a primitively Tethyan group. Both Helcion and Cymbula appear to have originated in southern Africa, but three Cymbula species have dispersed respectively to northwest Africa, St Helena and the southern Indian Ocean. The patellids of the northeastern Atlantic form a single clade, Patella (including P. pellucida), which may have arrived by northward dispersal of an ancestor from southern Africa, or possibly by vicariance of a widespread ancestral Tethyan distribution. The known fossil record of patellids is too fragmentary to permit choice between these alternatives.     

Phylogenetic position of the southern African members of the tribe Psoraleeae based on molecular and morphological data

The tribe Psoraleeae (Leguminosae subfamily Papilionoideae) comprises 185 species in nine genera that have a nearly worldwide distribution, occurring predominantly in Mediterranean regions. About 60% of the species belong to the genera, Otholobium C.H.Stirt. and Psoralea L., which have a centre of diversity in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Since previous molecular studies have sampled only a few species of the tribe from this region, this study sought to determine the phylogenetic position of the southern African genera and to test whether they are monophyletic. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using DNA sequence data (trnL-F, rpoB-trnC and ITS) and seven morphological characters, which diagnose the two southern African genera. The data were analysed using the parsimony method. There was strong support for the Psoraleeae as a clade, but most of the nodes within the large genera were poorly supported. The southern African species of Psoralea and Otholobium together formed a strongly supported clade. This clade was sister to the genus Hoita Rydb., but without support. However, the Psoralea species were nested within the southern African Otholobium. Additionally, some South American species that are currently recognised as Otholobium were resolved in a clade distinct from the southern African species, making Otholobium polyphyletic. Morphological characters that separate Otholobium and Psoralea are discussed. Finally, the southern African genera as currently circumscribed are not monophyletic. However, further investigations using more informative DNA loci are required to validate this observation. Furthermore, the taxonomic placement of the South American species needs to be reviewed.     

Faunistic groups of carpenter-moths (Lepidoptera, Cossidae) in the fauna of Russia

An arealogical review of carpenter-moths of the fauna of Russia is presented. Southern steppe western Palaearctic species (10); steppe, southern steppe, and Central Asian semidesert species (7); and nemoral eastern Palaearctic species (6) predominate. Endemics of the Russian fauna are 6 species: Acossus victor (Yakovlev, 2004) (southern Tuva); Cossus shmakovi Yakovlev, 2004 (Tuva, Khakassia); Deserticossus volgensis (Christoph, 1893) and D. sareptensis (Rothschild, 1912) (southern Volga River Basin), Phragmataecia pacifica Yakovlev, 2007 (Daghestan), and Meharia scythica D. Komarov et Zolotuhin, 2005 (southern Volga River Basin).     

Taxonomic notes on the genus Otoptera (Phaseoleae, Fabaceae) in southern Africa

A taxonomic study of the genus Otoptera (tribe Phaseoleae) is presented. This distinct genus consists of two species, O. burchellii in southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe) and O. madagascariensis endemic to Madagascar. The two species differ in the shape and size of leaflets, size and orientation of the spur located at the base of the wing petal, and also by size of the pod. A key to the two species is provided. This study focuses mainly on the southern African O. burchellii DC., which is described and illustrated. The species name is lectotypified and the known geographical distribution is recorded for the first time.     

Definition and review of the lancangjiang species group of the termitophilous genus Orthogonius Macleay, 1825 (Coleoptera,Carabidae, Orthogoniini)

The lancanjiang species group of the termitophilous ground beetle genus Orthogonius Macleay, 1825, is defined and reviewed. This group is characterized by the black and rather elongate body, dense punctation on head and elytra, long and slender appendages, thin fore tibiae, and elytral interval 3 without a subapical setiferous pore. To date, the lancanjiang species group is composed of four species and one subspecies, including three new species and one new subspecies which are described in the present paper: O. macrophthalmus sp. n. (northern Vietnam), O. euthyphallus sp. n. (southern Vietnam), O. euthyphallus bolavenensis ssp. n. (southern Laos) and O. carinatus sp. n. (northern Laos). A distribution map and a key to all species of this group are also provided.     

A new species of Megoura (Hemiptera,Aphididae) from Japan

A new species of the genus Megoura, M. lathyricola sp. n., was collected from Lathyrus japonicus subsp. japonicus (Leguminosae) in seashore areas of northern and southern Japan. This species is described and illustrated, and a revised key to the identification of the world species of Megoura is presented.     

Preliminary checklist of the orchids of Chile

This article provides a preliminary checklist of the orchids occurring in Chile, based on historical and recently published literature. Data compilation was assisted by using databases available on the Web (IPNI, W³Tropicos and KR). The list comprises seven genera ( Aa , Bipinnula , Brachystele , Chloraea , Codonorchis , Gavilea and Habenaria ) and 50 taxa (49 species and one variety), 25 of which are believed to be endemic to Chile. It includes the publication of a new combination, Gavilea feuilleana comb. nov.   © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 143 , 449−451.     

Chemosystematic evaluation of Aloe section Pictae (Asphodelaceae)

The chemosystematic value of UV-absorbing leaf constituents was considered in previously uncharacterised representatives of Aloe section Pictae, the problematic maculate species complex. Comparative data indicate that the anthrone C-glycoside, 6′-malonylnataloin (7-hydroxychrysaloin 6′-O-malonate) is typical of maculate species in East Africa, but is unconvincing as a synapomorphy for section Pictae. A naphthalene derivative found widely in Aloe, plicataloside, was detected in Aloe greatheadii. Biogeographical trends were observed in the occurrence of the flavonoids isoorientin (luteolin-6-C-glucoside) and isovitexin (apigenin 6-C-glucoside). Isoorientin is a common constituent of tropical and sub-tropical species of Aloe, whereas isovitexin is restricted to a few southern African species. Isoorientin and isovitexin co-occur in the southern African maculate species Aloe parvibracteata, and the disjunct West African maculate species, Aloe macrocarpa. This is the first report of isoorientin and isovitexin in maculate species of Aloe; the presence of flavonoids in section Pictae is of taxonomic interest.     

A New Species of Eagle Ray Aetobatus narutobiei from the Northwest Pacific: An Example of the Critical Role Taxonomy Plays in Fisheries and Ecological Sciences

Recent taxonomic and molecular work on the eagle rays (Family Myliobatidae) revealed a cryptic species in the northwest Pacific. This species is formally described as Aetobatus narutobiei sp. nov. and compared to its congeners. Aetobatus narutobiei is found in eastern Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Korea and southern Japan. It was previously considered to be conspecific with Aetobatus flagellum, but these species differ in size, structure of the NADH2 and CO1 genes, some morphological and meristic characters and colouration. Aetobatus narutobiei is particularly abundant in Ariake Bay in southern Japan where it is considered a pest species that predates heavily on farmed bivalve stocks and is culled annually as part of a ‘predator control’ program. The discovery of A. narutobiei highlights the paucity of detailed taxonomic research on this group of rays. This discovery impacts on current conservation assessments of A. flagellum and these need to be revised based on the findings of this study.     

The Subfamily Cytheropterinae Hanai, 1957 (Subphylum Crustacea,Class Ostracoda) from the Southern Brazilian Continental Shelf

The study of the subfamily Cytheropterinae from the southern Brazilian continental shelf reveals the presence of four genera and nine species, including two newly described (Cytheropteron sudatlanticum sp. nov., Loxoreticulatum pulchrum sp. nov.) and two left in open nomenclature (Cytheropteron sp. and Kangarina sp.). All of these species are restricted to the southern part of the Southwest Atlantic Ocean and do not extend beyond the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Three of these species (Oculocytheropteron micropunctatum, O. reticulatum, O. macropunctatum) extend beyond the southern limit of the Brazilian Province (36°S), while the others occur inside the limits of the Brazilian Province (36°S–22/21°S). The genus Loxoreticulatum, a well-known ostracod taxon from the Antarctic Peninsula, southern Argentina and Falkland (= Malvinas) Islands, is herein reported for the first time from offshore Brazil.     

Factors Underlying the Narrow Distribution of the Mediterranean Annual Plant Arenaria provincialis (Caryophyllaceae)

The factors responsible for the patterns of niche differentiation and narrow endemism have rarely been investigated in annual Mediterranean plants. This topic was addressed here by performing comparative studies on realized niches, regional occupancy, global biogeographical distribution and seed traits of a set of Arenaria (Caryophyllaceae) species inhabiting southern Provence (SE France), focusing in particular on Arenaria provincialis, a narrow endemic restricted to the hills and modest calcareous mountains around the city of Marseille. Field studies were carried out from 2008 to 2009 at 624 sites in the limestone mountains where Arenaria species are likely to occur. The Arenaria species occurring in southern Provence vary greatly in their patterns of regional occupancy and their biogeographical distribution. Multivariate analysis of the realized niche showed that they have some similar limiting environmental factors in common, but they do not all occupy the same habitats. Studies on the fruits and seeds showed that the endemic A. provincialis has a larger seed than its congeners and a capsule that remains closed and falls from the plant at maturity. This well-differentiated diaspore specific to A. provincialis may be responsible for the limited dispersal capacity of this species. Phylogenetic analyses showed that A. provincialis is not closely related to the other taxa inhabiting southern Provence, but rather to Arenaria occurring in highland areas in the south of France. The restricted pattern of distribution of A. provincialis is probably due to the past isolation event from which it originated and to its limited dispersal capacity, rather than resulting from its ecological niche range.     

EPIPHYTE FLORA AND DIVERSITY ON BASAL TRUNKS OF SIX OLD-GROWTH FOREST TREE SPECIES IN SOUTHERN AND MIDDLE BOREAL FINLAND

Epiphytic lichen and bryophyte species composition, richness and diversity were surveyed on basal trunks of six common old-growth forest tree species,Picea abies,Pinus sylvestris,Betula pendula,Alnus incana,Salix capreaandPopulus tremula, in two old-growth forest areas, one in southern and one in middle boreal Finland. The average species numbers per tree ranged from 18 (Picea) to 27 (Salix) in the southern and from 20 (Populus) to 31 (Salix) in the middle boreal area. A few widespread habitat-generalist species, such as the foliose lichensHypogymnia physodesandPlatismatia glauca, were most abundant on all the tree species, exceptPopulus. Most other epiphyte species showed at least a slight preference for one or two tree species.Populusproved to have the most distinct flora characterized by the abundance of certain, rather specialized crustose lichens and bryophytes. The number of species that occurred on only one tree species was highest onPopulus(9) in the southern and onAlnus(18) in the middle boreal area. Differences in bark acidity and structure were the most likely explanations for the differences between tree species in the epiphytic flora and diversity.SalixandPopuluswere the most important of the tree species studied for the conservation of epiphyte diversity in the boreal forests of Finland.     

Multigene Phylogeography of Bactrocera caudata (Insecta: Tephritidae): Distinct Genetic Lineages in Northern and Southern Hemispheres

Bactrocera caudata is a pest of pumpkin flower. Specimens of B. caudata from the northern hemisphere (mainland Asia) and southern hemisphere (Indonesia) were analysed using the partial DNA sequences of the nuclear 28S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS-2) genes, and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII) and 16S rRNA genes. The COI, COII, 16S rDNA and concatenated COI+COII+16S and COI+COII+16S+28S+ITS-2 nucleotide sequences revealed that B. caudata from the northern hemisphere (Peninsular Malaysia, East Malaysia, Thailand) was distinctly different from the southern hemisphere (Indonesia: Java, Bali and Lombok), without common haplotype between them. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two distinct clades (northern and southern hemispheres), indicating distinct genetic lineage. The uncorrected ‘p’ distance for the concatenated COI+COII+16S nucleotide sequences between the taxa from the northern and southern hemispheres (‘p’ = 4.46-4.94%) was several folds higher than the ‘p’ distance for the taxa in the northern hemisphere (‘p’ = 0.00-0.77%) and the southern hemisphere (‘p’ = 0.00%). This distinct difference was also reflected by concatenated COI+COII+16S+28S+ITS-2 nucleotide sequences with an uncorrected ''p'' distance of 2.34-2.69% between the taxa of northern and southern hemispheres. In accordance with the type locality the Indonesian taxa belong to the nominal species. Thus the taxa from the northern hemisphere, if they were to constitute a cryptic species of the B. caudata species complex based on molecular data, need to be formally described as a new species. The Thailand and Malaysian B. caudata populations in the northern hemisphere showed distinct genetic structure and phylogeographic pattern.     

Two new palaearctic species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scoliophthalmus</Emphasis> Becker, 1903 (Diptera,Chloropidae) with a key to the species occurring in the Palaearctic Region

Two new species of the genus Scoliophthalmus Becker, 1903 (Diptera, Chloropidae) are described: S. miscanthi sp. n. from southern Primorskii Territory (Russia) and S. gussakovskii sp. n. from southern Tajikistan. The genus is recorded for Russia for the first time. The species of Scoliophthalmus occur only in the southern areas of the Palaearctic Region. A key to eight species occurring in the Palaearctic Region is given.     

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) from wild birds in southern Portugal

This study was carried out to determine chewing louse species of wild birds in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, located in southern Portugal. In addition, the hypothesis that bird age, avian migration and social behaviour have an impact on the louse prevalence was tested. Between September and December of 2013, 122 birds (belonging to 10 orders, 19 families, 31 genera and 35 species) captured in scientific ringing sessions and admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Investigation Centre of Ria Formosa were examined for lice. Twenty-six (21.3%) birds were found to be infested with at least one chewing louse species. The chewing lice identified include 18 species. Colonial birds (34.9%) and migratory birds (29.5%) had statistically significant higher prevalence than territorial birds (6.8%) and resident birds (13.1%), respectively. This paper records 17 louse species for the first time in southern Portugal: Laemobothrion maximum, Laemobothrion vulturis, Actornithophilus piceus lari, Actornithophilus umbrinus, Austromenopon lutescens, Colpocephalum heterosoma, Colpocephalum turbinatum, Eidmanniella pustulosa, Nosopon casteli, Pectinopygus bassani, Pseudomenopon pilosum, Trinoton femoratum, Trinoton querquedulae, Craspedorrhynchus platystomus, Degeeriella fulva, Falcolipeurus quadripustulatus, Lunaceps schismatus. Also a nymph of the genus Strigiphilus was collected from a Eurasian eagle-owl. These findings contribute to the knowledge of avian chewing lice from important birds areas in Portugal.     

Viracochiella orientalis, a new species of oribatid mites (Acariformes, Oribatida) of the family Ceratozetidae from Sakhalin

A new species, Viracochiella orientalis sp. n., from the southern part of Sakhalin is described. The species differs in the shape of cuspises with strong medial teeth and in the absence of translamellae. The smooth notogaster, shorter interlamellar and genital setae, and some other characters distinguish this species from V. tuberculata. This species differs from V. sergienkoae in the number of genital setae (V. sergienkoae has five pairs), shorter interlamellar setae, smooth trichobothria, fine pore areas without borders of sclerotization, and thin hysterosomal setae.