Chemotaxonomic Screening of Seed Oils from the Family Saxifragaceae and Comparison with Data on Seed Oils from Grossulariaceae Obtained from Literature

Seeds of 25 members of the family Saxifragaceae, 1 × Astilbe, 1 × Darmera, 1 × Leptarrhena, 1 × Tellima, 3 × Mitella, and 18 × Saxifraga were investigated regarding oil content, as well as composition and content of fatty acids and vitamin E active compounds. The results were compared with results obtained from literature for members of the genus Ribes belonging to the closely related family Grossulariaceae to find chemometric differences between the different genera and between members of the family Saxifragaceae and Grossulariaceae, respectively. Members of the family Saxifragaceae are dominated by high amounts of linoleic and α‐linolenic acid which together account for about 80% of the total fatty acids. While α‐linolenic acid is characteristic for members of the genus Saxifraga, in other genera, linoleic acid is predominant. In comparison to members of the family Saxifragaceae members of the family Grossulariaceae also contain γ‐linolenic acid and stearidonic acid which allow a significant differentiation between both families. By principle component analysis, members of both families were divided into three distinct groups, i) species with a high content of α‐linolenic acid (genus Saxifraga), ii) species with high amounts of γ‐linolenic acid and stearidonic acid (genus Ribes), and iii) species with higher amounts of linoleic acid (other members of the family Saxifragaceae). The composition of the vitamin E active compounds was characterized by a high content of γ‐tocopherol in most members of the family Saxifragaceae, but no chemotaxonomic relevance.     

Amphicreadium n. g. (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from monacanthid fishes (Tetraodontiformes) from the coast of northern Tasmania

A new lepocreadiid genus, Amphicreadium, is erected for the species A. denspeniculus n. sp. from Acanthaluteres vittiger and for an unnamed species from Meuschenia freycineti, both from off northern Tasmania. The new genus is distinguished from all other members of its family by its amphistomatous body plan.     

Rapid recovery of a depleted population of Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax following provision of alfalfa through an agri‐environment scheme

The Little Bustard has undergone a steep reduction of its Western Palaearctic range over the last century. In the west of France, breeding populations declined by 96% from 1978 to 2008 in cultivated areas where grasslands have been converted into intensively managed annual crops. Little Bustard abundance and nest productivity have been monitored since 1995 in a 450‐km² site in western France. We assessed the proximate causes of the decline of Little Bustards in French farming landscapes and quantified the effectiveness of conservation measures that aimed to reverse the decline. The decline of Little Bustard, from about 65 males in 1995 to just six males in 2003, could be related to a near absence of recruitment over this period. Since 2004, the establishment of more than 1300 ha of specifically targeted agri‐environment schemes (AES) in the study site has led to a sharp increase in female productivity, mainly associated with nesting in AES fields. By imposing constraints on mowing dates, AES have prevented nest destruction and female mortality during mowing and, by increasing plant species diversity, provided chicks with a higher abundance of grasshoppers. This has contributed to reversing the trend, and increasing the population to around 30 males in 2009. Conservation strategies involving specifically targeted AES based on the identification of limiting factors can help to reverse the decline of threatened species.     

852. KEWA ACIDA

Recent studies showed that a group of Hypertelis species was neither related to the type of that genus or to other members of Molluginaceae. As a result, these species were segregated as a new genus in its own family, Kewaceae. The St Helenan endemic Kewa acida (Hook.) Christenh. is illustrated here and its relationships, status, cultivation and conservation are discussed.     

Molecular and morphological delimitation and generic classification of the family Oocystaceae (Trebouxiophyceae,Chlorophyta)

The family Oocystaceae (Chlorophyta) is a group of morphologically and ultrastructurally distinct green algae that constitute a well‐supported clade in the class Trebouxiophyceae. Despite the family's clear delimitation, which is based on specific cell wall features, only a few members of the Oocystaceae have been examined using data other than morphological. In previous studies of Trebouxiophyceae, after the establishment of molecular phylogeny, the taxonomic status of the family was called into question. The genus Oocystis proved to be paraphyletic and some species were excluded from Oocystaceae, while a few other species were newly redefined as members of this family. We investigated 54 strains assigned to the Oocystaceae using morphological, ultrastructural and molecular data (SSU rRNA and rbcL genes) to clarify the monophyly of and diversity within Oocystaceae. Oonephris obesa and Nephrocytium agardhianum clustered within the Chlorophyceae and thus are no longer members of the Oocystaceae. On the other hand, we transferred the coenobial Willea vilhelmii to the Oocystaceae. Our findings combined with those of previous studies resulted in the most robust definition of the family to date. The division of the family into three subfamilies and five morphological clades was suggested. Taxonomical adjustments in the genera Neglectella, Oocystidium, Oocystis, and Ooplanctella were established based on congruent molecular and morphological data. We expect further taxonomical changes in the genera Crucigeniella, Eremosphaera, Franceia, Lagerheimia, Oocystis, and Willea in the future.     

Gene and whole genome analyses reveal that the mycobacterial strain JS623 is not a member of the species Mycobacterium smegmatis

Unexpected differences were found between the genome of strain JS623, used in bioremediation studies, and the genome of strain mc²155, a model organism for investigating basic biology of mycobacteria. Both strains are currently assigned in the databases to the species Mycobacterium smegmatis and, consequently, the environmental isolate JS623 is increasingly included as a representative of that species in comparative genome‐based approaches aiming at identifying distinctive traits of the different members of the genus Mycobacterium. We applied traditional molecular taxonomic procedures – inference of single and concatenated gene trees – to re‐evaluate the membership of both strains to the same species, adopting the latest accepted cut‐off values for species delimitation. Additionally, modern whole genome‐based in silico methods where performed in a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of JS623 and other members of the genus Mycobacterium. These analyses showed that all relevant genome parameters of JS623 clearly separate this strain from M. smegmatis. The strain JS623 should be corrected as Mycobacterium sp. not only in the literature but, even more importantly, in the database entries, as inclusion of the genome wrongly attributed to the M. smegmatis species in comparative studies will result in misleading conclusions.     

Genetic divergences and intraspecific variation in corvids of the genus Corvus (Aves: Passeriformes: Corvidae) – a first survey based on museum specimens

The first comprehensive overview of intra‐ and interspecific variation within the genus Corvus as well as first insights into the phylogenetic relationships of its species is presented. DNA sequences of the mitochondrial control region were obtained from 34 of the 40 described species (including subspecies: 56 taxa). As the study was based mainly on museum material, several specimens did not yield the full length marker sequence. In these cases, only a short section of the control region could be analysed. Nevertheless, even these individuals could be assigned tentatively to clades established on the full length marker sequence. Inclusion of sequences of other corvid genera as available in GenBank clearly confirmed the monophyly of the genus Corvus. Within the Corvus clade several distinct subclades can be distinguished. Some represent lineages of single species or species pairs while other clades are composed of many species. In general, the composition of the clades reflects geographical contiguousness and confirms earlier assumptions of a Palearctic origin of the genus Corvus with several independent colonizations of the Nearctic and the Aethiopis. The Australasian radiation seems to be derived from a single lineage. The distribution of plumage colour in the phylogenetic tree indicates that the pale markings evolved several times independently. The white/grey plumage colour pattern – which is found also in other genera of the family Corvidae, for example, in Pica– occurs already in the species pair representing the first split within the genus Corvus (Corvus monedula, Corvus dauuricus). Thus, reversal to full black colour seems to have occurred as well. The use of colour traits as a phylogenetic marker within Corvus should be considered with severe caution.     

Basispora,a new genus of the Ralfsiaceae

Basispora is recognised as a new genus of the Ralfsiaceae (Phaeophyceae), distinguished from other members of this family by the terminal unilocular sporangia arising on long stalks from near the base of the simple, often assurgent, laterally free erect filaments. The type species Basispora africana is described; it is widely distributed along the West African coast. Two other taxa from New Zealand, formerly included in Hapalospongidium, are transferred to this new genus, necessitating the new combinations Basispora saxigena and B. durvilleae. These three species are separated on the structure of the vegetative thallus, dimensions, shape of the sporangial stalk and on the type of substrate on which they grow.     

Phylogeny of the shore crab family Grapsidae (Decapoda: Brachyura: Thoracotremata) based on a multilocus approach

The Grapsidae are a thoracotreme crab family with 40 species in eight genera (in their strict definition), and possess a number of morphological and molecular synapomorphies. Previous phylogenetic studies based on mitochondrial DNA markers established the monophyly of this family, but suggested possible paraphyly or polyphyly of some of the constituent genera. To test the validity of previous hypotheses, the present study reconstructed a molecular phylogeny of the grapsid crabs based on five molecular markers, including mitochondrial DNA markers and the first use of nuclear protein‐coding markers to address this issue. Monophyly of Grapsidae was confirmed, with the exception of the position of the monotypic genus Leptograpsodes. The polyphyly of the genus Pachygrapsus is consistent with previous molecular phylogenies, as members from this genus are dispersed throughout our gene tree. Grapsus and Planes were shown to be paraphyletic, with species of Pachygrapsus nested within them. Our study found incongruences between the currently adopted classification of the family, and hence taxonomic revisions will be needed. We hereby demonstrate the use of nuclear protein‐coding markers for high confidence reconstruction of decapod phylogenies, resolving most of the early splits that mitochondrial DNA markers alone are unable to tackle. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Cracks in the shell—zooming in on eggshell formation in the human parasite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schistosoma mansoni</Emphasis>

Schistosomiasis, currently the second most common parasitic disease of humans in tropical regions is caused by the eggs of trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. Understanding egg formation and specifically the synthesis of the eggshell comprises, consequently, a promising starting point to cure and prevent the disease. To shed light on the genetics of the latter process, we analysed the three known S. mansoni eggshell proteins P14, P19 and P48 against the background of the species inferred proteome and of eggshell proteins identified in other trematode species. Our results suggest that eggshell formation in Schistosoma involves a multitude of different proteins organised in currently three distinct protein families (P14, P48 and P34 eggshell protein family). The first two families are of simple structure. Their respective members share a substantial degree of sequence similarity and are, to date, observed only in the genus Schistosoma. In contrast, the P34 family of eggshell proteins is complex. Its in part highly diverged members share only a conserved motif of 67-aa length on average and are detected in various trematode species. The resulting widespread occurrence of this protein motif suggests an important role during eggshell formation in trematodes. Screening more than 7,000 putative proteins of S. mansoni, we could identify six new members of the P34 protein family that are likely to be involved in eggshell formation in this species.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at .     

Amphipod crustaceans from anchihaline cave waters of the Galapagos Islands

Three species of blind Amphipoda are recorded from anchihaline cave waters in the Galapagos Islands. One of these, Galapsiellus leleuporum (Monod, 1970) was previously know from the islands; the male is described for the first time. The other two belong to families with predominantly (though not exclusively) deep-sea members: Valettietta cavernicola sp. nov. (family Lysianassidae; and Antronicippe serrata gen. et sp. nov. (family Pardaliscidae). The genus Valettietta was not previously recorded from caves; it contained two abyssal species in the Atlantic, while a third species was recorded from the Pacific in a vertical haul between 0 and 5300 m. Antronicippe is closely related to Spelaeonicippe, a genus with two species known from anchihaline caves in the Canary Islands and the West Indies.     

On the Taxonomy of Mrazekidae: Resurrection of the Genus Bacillidium Janda, 192812

ABSTRACT. This paper reviews the taxonomy of the microsporidia of the family Mrazekidae Léger & Hesse, 1922, based on reexamination of slides in the collection of Prof. O. Jirovec, Prague, and discusses the available type material of Mrazekia argoisi and Bacillidium criodrili. Mrazekia argoisi differs prominently from the other species, and the genus Mrazekia is restricted to this species. The aberrant cytology and development exclude the species from the phylum Microspora. The genus Bacillidium is resurrected for the type species B. criodrili and for four other species. The genus Jirovecia is retained, and five species are transferred to this genus. A new family is erected for Bacillidium and Jirovecia. As B. criodrili does not exhibit octosporoblastic, pansporoblastic sporogony, the recent taxonomic treatment of the genus Bacillidium by Issi is rejected. Mrazekia jiroveci Sprague, 1977, the new name for B. limnodrili Jirovec, 1936, is rejected.     

Enterobacter cowaniisp. nov., a New Species of the Family Enterobacteriaceae

The name Enterobacter cowanii sp. nov. is proposed for a group of organisms referred to as NIH Group 42. Members of this species are Gram-negative, motile rods conforming to the definition of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The DNA relatedness of nine strains of NIH Group 42 to the proposed type strain of this species averaged 85% at 70°C, whereas the relatedness to other species within the family Enterobacteriaceae was less than 38%. Because the DNA relatedness (5–38%) is closer to species of the genus Enterobacter than to other species of the family, the members of NIH Group 42 were placed in the genus Enterobacter. The majority of strains of E. cowanii were isolated from clinical specimens. A culture of the type strain (888-76) has been deposited in the Japan Collection of Microorganisms as JCM 10956. Received: 22 June 2000 / Accepted: 26 June 2000     

A new species of Gyraulus (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) from Ancient Lake Lugu,Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau,Southwest China

A new aberrant species of the planorbid genus Gyraulus, Gyraulus luguhuensis n. sp., is described from Lake Lugu (Lugu-hu, in Chinese), Southwest China. The generic assignment with Gyraulus is based on features of the genital anatomy that are characteristic for members of that genus, in particular the presence of a chitinized penial stylet. Gyraulus luguhuensis n. sp. differs from most other congeners by its large, thick shell with an elevated spire. Similarly, aberrant shells are known from congeners in other Ancient Lakes worldwide indicating a potentially convergent evolution of shell characteristics in exclusively lacustrine species. Gyraulus luguhuensis differs from other lacustrine Gyraulus species with similarly large shells in having a sub-terminal penis pore and an unkeeled shell.     

石山苣苔属(苦苣苔科)花形态演化及分类学意义

石山苣苔属(苦苣苔科)约30种,主要分布于我国南部的石灰岩地区.目前该属已知物种数虽少但花形态极其多样,是该科中分类最为困难的类群之一.基于分子证据,其它8个属中花形态迥异的一些物种被并入石山苣苔属.然而,该属花形态的演化趋势缺乏系统性的研究,传统分类对属的界定与分子系统学研究结果相矛盾的原因,以及是否有形态特征支持新界定的石山苣苔属还不清楚.该研究中,总共编码了19种石山苣苔属植物和9种报春苣苔属植物的35个形态特征,其中包括26个花部形态特征,在分子系统树上追踪了它们的演化路径.结果表明:无论属内还是属间,多数花部形态特征,尤其以往属的分类界定特征,在演化过程中变化频繁且发生了高度同塑性演化,这是导致传统形态分类不自然的关键因素.此外,在观察研究的所有特征中,花丝和柱头的差异可能在石山苣苔属植物共同祖先中经历了演变,或可用于区分石山苣苔属与其姐妹报春苣苔属的大多数种类.因此,在苦苣苔科植物的分类学研究中应当慎用这些花部性状作为分类依据,而且应对形态特征进行广泛地观察研究,在密集的取样和分辨率更高、更可靠的系统树上追踪它们的演化规律.更为重要的是,需要进一步研究导致复杂形态性状演化的内在分子调控机理和外在的自然选择动力,最终更加深入地理解石山苣苔属等典型喀斯特植物的演化过程和机理.     

Strong correlation between cross-amplification success and genetic distance across all members of 'True Salamanders' (Amphibia: Salamandridae) revealed by Salamandra salamandra-specific microsatellite loci

The unpredictable and low cross-amplification success of microsatellite loci tested for congeneric amphibian species has mainly been explained by the size and complexity of amphibian genomes, but also by taxonomy that is inconsistent with phylogenetic relationships among taxa. Here, we tested whether the cross-amplification success of nine new and 11 published microsatellite loci cloned for an amphibian source species, the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra), correlated with the genetic distance across all members of True Salamanders (genera Chioglossa, Lyciasalamandra, Mertensiella and Salamandra that form a monophyletic clade within the family of Salamandridae) serving as target species. Cross-amplification success varied strongly among the species and showed a highly significant negative relationship with genetic distance and amplification success. Even though lineages of S. salamandra and Lyciasalamndra have separated more than 30 Ma, a within genus amplification success rate of 65% was achieved for species of Lyciasalamandra thus demonstrating that an efficient cross-species amplification of microsatellite loci in amphibians is feasible even across large evolutionary distances. A decrease in genome size, on the other hand, paralleled also a decrease in amplified loci and therefore contradicted previous results and expectations that amplification success should increase with a decrease in genome size. However, in line with other studies, our comprehensive dataset clearly shows that cross-amplification success of microsatellite loci is well explained by phylogenetic divergence between species. As taxonomic classifications on the species and genus level do not necessarily mirror phylogenetic divergence between species, the pure belonging of species to the same taxonomic units (i.e. species or genus) might be less useful to predict cross-amplification success of microsatellite loci between such species.