Neosteinernema longicurvicauda n. gen., n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a Parasite of the Termite Reticuldermes flavipes (Koller)

A nematode isolated from the termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Koller) was identified and described as a new genus and species, Neosteinernema longicurvicauda. Primary distinguishing characters, by contrast to members of the genus Steinernema, were females having prominent phasmids, a curved tail longer than the body width at the anus, a spiral shape in juvenile-bearing females, and juveniles becoming infective-stage juveniles before emerging from the female; males having prominent phasmids, a digitate tail tip, a characteristic shape of the spicules (foot-shaped with a hump on the dorsal side), and 13-14 pairs of genital papillae, with eight pairs preanal; and infective juveniles having prominent phasmids and a filiform curved tail as long as the esophagus. Adult nematodes are found outside the termite cadaver. Diagnosis of the family Steinernematidae was emended to accommodate the new species.     

A New Species of Pristionchus (Rhabditida: Diplogastridae) and Its Bacterial Symbiont from Yixing,China

A new nematode species, Pristionchus entomophilus n. sp., was collected during a soil sample survey in Yixing of Jiangsu province, eastern China. P. entomophilus n. sp. is distinguished by its unique characteristics. This new species is mainly hermaphroditic, with males seldom found. The new nematode has a similar body length but has much narrower body width compared with P. pacificus. Its body is covered with longitudinal ridges: 12 ridges on head, 13 or 14 ridges in the middle, 11 and 7 ridges in front and rear of the anus, respectively. The eurystomatous form mouth includes a triangular dorsal tooth, a large claw-like right subventral tooth, and a row of five ventral denticles placed opposite the dorsal tooth. Only eight pairs of genital papillae and a pair of phasmids are present in the tail of the male as the sixth pair of papillae having seemingly been degenerated and lost. Molecular phylogenetic trees based on 18S rDNA confirmed that the new species belongs to the genus Pristionchus and is most closely related to P. pacificus. Moreover, the new species was found to be occasionally associated with the entomopathogenic bacterial strain 09FLYB1 of Serratia nematodophila and be able to stably transfer the bacterial strain for several generations.     

Lecithoceridae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) of New Guinea,Part V: Descriptions of two new genera,Neotimyra gen. nov. and Strombiola gen. nov.

This is the 5th part in a series on the family Lecithoceridae (Lepidoptera, Gelechioidea) of New Guinea. Two new genera, Neotimyra gen. nov. and Strombiola gen. nov. are proposed. There are five new species in the genus Neotimyra (N. senara sp. nov., N. milleri sp. nov., N. gyriola sp. nov., N. warkapiensis sp. nov., and N. nemoralis sp. nov.), and one new species in the genus Strombiola (S. papuana sp. nov.). Adults, heads, labial palpi, venations, and male genitalia are illustrated.     

Taxonomic revisions in the Microstromatales: two new yeast species,two new genera,and validation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jaminaea</Emphasis> and two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sympodiomycopsis</Emphasis> species

Environmental sampling yielded two yeast species belonging to Microstromatales (Exobasidiomycetes, Ustilaginomycotina). The first species was collected from a leaf phylloplane infected by the rust fungus Coleosporium plumeriae, and represents a new species in the genus Jaminaea, for which the name Jaminaea rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The second species was isolated from air on 50% glucose media and is most similar to Microstroma phylloplanum. However, our phylogenetic analyses reveal that species currently placed in Microstroma are not monophyletic, and M. phylloplanum, M. juglandis and M. albiziae are not related to the type species of this genus, M. album. Thus, Pseudomicrostroma gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate the following species: P. glucosiphilum sp. nov., P. phylloplanum comb. nov. and P. juglandis comb. nov. We also propose Parajaminaea gen. nov. to accommodate P. albizii comb. nov. and P. phylloscopi sp. nov. based on phylogenetic analyses that show these are not congeneric with Jaminaea or Microstroma. In addition, we validate the genus Jaminaea, its respective species and two species of Sympodiomycopsis and provide a new combination, Microstroma bacarum comb. nov., for the anamorphic yeast Rhodotorula bacarum. Our results illustrate non-monophyly of Quambalariaceae and Microstromataceae as currently circumscribed. Taxonomy of Microstroma and the Microstromataceae is reviewed and discussed. Finally, analyses of all available small subunit rDNA sequences for Jaminaea species show that J. angkorensis is the only known species that possess a group I intron in this locus, once considered a potential feature indicating the basal placement of this genus in Microstromatales.     

Fukuyoa paulensis gen. et sp. nov., a New Genus for the Globular Species of the Dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus (Dinophyceae)

The marine epiphytic dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus is a toxicologically important genus responsible for ciguatera fish poisoning, the principal cause of non-bacterial illness associated with fish consumption. The genus currently contains species exhibiting either globular or anterior-posteriorly compressed morphologies with marked differences in cell shape and plate arrangement. Here we report a third globular, epiphytic and tychoplanktonic species from the coasts of Ubatuba, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from G. yasumotoi and G. ruetzleri by its broader first apical plate that occupies a larger portion of the epitheca. Accordingly, phylogenetic trees from small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA sequences also showed strongly supported separation of the new species from the G. yasumotoi / G. ruetzleri group albeit with short distance. The molecular phylogenies, which included new sequences of the planktonic species Goniodoma polyedricum, further indicated that the globular species of Gambierdiscus formed a tight clade, clearly separated (with strong bootstrap support) from the clade of lenticular species including the type for Gambierdiscus. The morphological and molecular data in concert support the split of Gambierdiscus sensu lato into two genera. Gambierdiscus sensu stricto should be reserved for the species with lenticular shapes, highly compressed anterioposteriorly, with short-shank fishhook apical pore plate, large 2'' plate, low and ascending cingular displacement, and pouch-like sulcal morphology. The new genus name Fukuyoa gen. nov. should be applied to the globular species, slightly laterally compressed, with long-shank fishhook apical pore plate, large 1'' plate, greater and descending cingular displacement, and not pouch-like vertically-oriented sulcal morphology. Fukuyoa contains the new species Fukuyoa paulensis gen. et sp. nov., and F. yasumotoi comb. nov. and F. ruetzleri comb. nov.     

Unravelling the Biodiversity and Molecular Phylogeny of Needle Nematodes of the Genus Longidorus (Nematoda: Longidoridae) in Olive and a Description of Six New Species

The genus Longidorus includes a remarkable group of invertebrate animals of the phylum Nematoda comprising polyphagous root-ectoparasites of numerous plants including several agricultural crops and trees. Damage is caused by direct feeding on root cells as well as by transmitting nepoviruses that cause disease on those crops. Thus, correct identification of Longidorus species is essential to establish appropriate control measures. We provide the first detailed information on the diversity and distribution of Longidorus species infesting wild and cultivated olive soils in a wide-region in southern Spain that included 159 locations from which 449 sampling sites were analyzed. The present study doubles the known biodiversity of Longidorus species identified in olives by including six new species (Longidorus indalus sp. nov., Longidorus macrodorus sp. nov., Longidorus onubensis sp. nov., Longidorus silvestris sp. nov., Longidorus vallensis sp. nov., and Longidorus wicuolea sp. nov.), two new records for wild and cultivate olives (L. alvegus and L. vineacola), and two additional new records for wild olive (L. intermedius and L. lusitanicus). We also found evidence of some geographic species associations to western (viz. L. alvegus, L. intermedius, L. lusitanicus, L. onubensis sp. nov., L. vineacola, L. vinearum, L. wicuolea sp. nov.) and eastern distributions (viz. L. indalus sp. nov.), while only L. magnus was detected in both areas. We developed a comparative study by considering morphological and morphometrical features together with molecular data from nuclear ribosomal RNA genes (D2–D3 expansion segments of 28S, ITS1, and partial 18S). Results of molecular and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the morphological hypotheses and allowed the delimitation and discrimination of six new species of the genus described herein and four known species. Phylogenetic analyses of Longidorus spp. based on three molecular markers resulted in a general consensus of these species groups, since lineages were maintained for the majority of species. This study represents the most complete phylogenetic analysis for Longidorus species to date.     

Plasmopara invertifolia sp. nov. causing downy mildew on Helichrysum bracteatum (Asteraceae)

Plasmopara invertifolia sp. nov. causes severe leaf distortion and necrosis on Helichrysum bracteatum, a beautiful and important ornamental plant for trade in Brazil. This oomycete pathogen is distinguished from other species of Plasmopara on Asteraceae by its smaller sporangia and larger sporangiophores, which justifies the proposition of a new taxon in the genus Plasmopara to accommodate it. The phylogenetic analysis of cox2 gene sequence data supports such placement and also shows that P. invertifolia is close to the P. halstedii complex. Plasmopara invertifolia is then described, illustrated and discussed.     

Zygotorulaspora cornina sp. nov. and Zygotorulaspora smilacis sp. nov., Two Novel Ascomycetous Yeast Species Isolated from Plant Flowers and Fruits

Three isolates belonging to the ascomycetous genus Zygotorulaspora were obtained from the fruits of Cornus officinalis and Smilax china, and flowers of Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum in Gongju-si, Korea. Phylogenetic Analyses of the LSU D1/D2 domain and ITS region sequences supported the recognition of two new species: Zygotorulaspora cornina sp. nov. (type strain NIBRFGC000500475 = KACC93346P^PP) and Zygotorulaspora smilacis sp. nov. (type strain NIBRFGC000500476 = KACC93347P^PP). The two novel species revealed no growth on D-Galactose, unlike the other six species in the genus Zygotorulaspora. They are distinguished from each other by their phylogenetic differences and phenotypic characteristics such as assimilation of xylitol, 5-keto-D-gluconate, and ethanol. All species in the genus Zygotorulaspora including the two novel species have phenotypic traits of genus Zygotorulaspora: asci are persistent, sucrose and raffinose are assimilated, and m-inositol is not required for growth, and they are mainly associated with plants.     

Diaceratherium massiliae nov. sp. des argiles oligocènes de Saint-André et Saint-Henri à Marseille et de Les Milles près d’Aix-en-Provence (SE de la France), premier grand Rhinocerotidae brachypode européen

A revision of all previously collected mammalian fossils from the two Late Oligocene sites of Saint-André and Saint-Henri in Marseille (both from the MP 26 reference-level) allows us to identify three Rhinocerotoidea species: Protaceratherium albigense, Ronzotherium romani, Diaceratherium massiliae nov. sp., and maybe a fourth one, Eggysodon cf. gaudryi. Only the first two were previously known there. D. massiliae nov. sp. is found together with R. romani; it is the first case of sympatry ever known between the two genera. D. massiliae nov. sp. is then the most ancient Diaceratherium in Europe, where the genus was previously unknown before the MP 29 reference-level. It is a very large species whose limb bones proportions foreshadow these of the later species of the genus, especially D. lemanense from the Late Oligocene-Early Miocene. This suggests a possible phylogenetic link between D. massiliae nov. sp. and D. lemanense, and the coexistence of at least two different but partially contemporaneous lineages among the European Diaceratherium. In Les Milles near Aix-en-Provence, also from the MP 26 reference-level, the three species P. albigense, R. romani and D. massiliae nov. sp. were also found.     

New insights into the systematics and molecular phylogeny of the Malagasy snake genus Liopholidophis suggest at least one rapid reversal of extreme sexual dimorphism in tail length

The pseudoxyrhophiine snake genus Liopholidophis Mocquard, 1904 (family Lamprophiidae) is endemic to Madagascar and according to its present definition comprises six medium-sized, terrestrial and diurnal snake species, most of which are characterised by an unusual and extreme sexual dimorphism in tail length. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using nucleotide sequences of three mitochondrial genes (16S rRNA, cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I) and one nuclear gene (c-mos) for all described and two additional species newly described herein. The two new species are very small sized (total length: 234–312.5 mm), have comparatively short tails and a reduced number of dorsal scale rows (15 at midbody), the lowest value among all non-scolecophidian snakes of Madagascar. Both species are secretive or rare, and they have a reddish belly in life that fades in preservative. In terms of colouration and morphology, they are most similar to each other and furthermore to Liopholidophis rhadinaea. Together with this species and L. dimorphus, they form a well-supported clade. Liopholidophis baderi sp. nov. from central eastern Madagascar is characterised by 149–158 ventrals and 71–77 subcaudals, whereas the similar L. oligolepis sp. nov. from the northeast has even fewer ventrals (137) and subcaudals (54). The phylogenetic tree suggests that the tail length dimorphism in the genus Liopholidophis has evolved in a complex pattern including at least one reversal. The phylogenetic position of the two new dwarf species indicates that both the absence of extreme sexual dimorphism in tail length and their body size reduction are derived and probably correlated features. Also the close phylogenetic relationships between the long-tailed L. sexlineatus and the similar but relatively short-tailed L. varius demonstrate that dimorphism in tail length can be strongly mitigated in short evolutionary time periods.     

Les Pachyerymnoceras (Pachyceratidés,Périsphinctacés,Ammonites) du Callovien moyen et supérieur de la région de Saida (Algérie occidentale). Origine phylétique et biogéographie des Pachyceratidés

The genus Pachyerymnoceras, with four new species,is described for the first time in Western Algeria. The genus first appears in the Middle Callovia (Coronatum Zone) as in Saudi Arabia. It is represented in the Saida region by uncommon P. praecox nov. sp. followed during the Upper Callovian (Athleta Zone) by specimens belonging to P. flamandi sp. nov., P. kmerense nov. sp. and P. saidense nov. sp. Every species is represented by a dimorphic pair.Pachyceratidae are put into Perisphinctaceae. If Pachyerymnoceras arises from Erymnoceras, a genus suddenly appearing during the Middle Callovian on northern and southern Tethyan borders, the origin of Erymnoceras is still unknown. Three phylogenetic hypothesis are considered here. Erymnoceras may have evolved during Lower Callovian: 1) from serpenticonic Tethyan Pseudoperisphinctinae like Choffatia (Subgrossouvria); 2) from Tulitids via ellipticoncic Bullatimorphites (Kheraiceras); 3) through a double lineage arisen in Subboreal and Tethyan platyconic Proplanulitids.Pachyceratids have a wide paleobiogeographic distribution in NW Europe and on the Tethyan margins. The genus Pachyerymnoceras evolves in Ethiopian Province of the Tethyan Realm. Some species migrate into Indo-Malagasian Province and others, through the south Tethyan border came to Europe were they are found restricted to Upper Callovian (Athleta and Lamberti Zones). Therefore this migration has a duration of two or even three zones.     

On the description of Tisochrysis lutea gen. nov. sp. nov. and Isochrysis nuda sp. nov. in the Isochrysidales, and the transfer of Dicrateria to the Prymnesiales (Haptophyta)

The Isochrysidaceae is a family of non-calcifying organisms within the haptophyte order Isochrysidales. Isochrysis galbana, a species widely used as a food source in aquaculture, is the best-known representative of this family that contains three genera but only six described species. We sequenced partial nuclear small subunit (SSU) and large subunit rDNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 genes of 34 isochrysidacean culture strains (including authentic strains when available) and compared molecular phylogenetic inferences with cytological and ultrastructural observations. The isochrysidaceaen culture strain Isochrysis affinis galbana (Tahiti isolate), widely used in aquaculture and commonly known as T-Iso, is clearly genetically distinct from Isochrysis galbana, despite seemingly being morphologically identical. A strain with a similar ultrastructure to that of Isochrysis galbana except for the lack of body scales had sequences that were more similar to but still distinct from those of Isochrysis galbana. Dicrateria inornata, a species that lacks body scales, is classified within the Isochrysidaceae, but the SSU rDNA sequence of the authentic strain of this species matches that of Imantonia rotunda within another haptophye order, the Prymnesiales. D. inornata and Imantonia rotunda have similar ultrastructure except for the respective absence/presence of scales. These results lead us to propose the erection of one new genus (Tisochrysis gen. nov.) and two new species (Tisochrysis lutea sp. nov. and Isochrysis nuda sp. nov.). D. inornata is reclassified within the Prymnesiales, and Imantonia rotunda is transferred to this genus (Dicrateria rotunda comb. nov.).     

Crystallicutis gen. nov. (Irpicaceae,Basidiomycota), including C. damiettensis sp. nov., found on Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) trunks in the Nile Delta of Egypt

The taxonomy of Polyporales is complicated by the variability in key morphological characters across families and genera, now being gradually resolved through molecular phylogenetic analyses. Here a new resupinate species, Crystallicutis damiettensis sp. nov. found on the decayed trunks of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) trees in the fruit orchards of the Nile Delta region of Egypt is reported. Multigene phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, EF1α, RPB1 and RPB2 loci place this species in Irpicaceae, and forming a distinct clade with Ceraceomyces serpens and several other hitherto unnamed taxa, which we also incorporate into a new genus Crystallicutis. We name two of these species, Crystallicutis huangshanensis sp. nov. and Crystallicutis rajchenbergii sp. nov. The distinctive feature of Crystallicutis gen. nov. is the presence of crystal-encrusted hyphae in the hymenium and subiculum. Basidiomes are usually honey-yellow with white margins but there is variability in the presence of clamp connections and cystidia, as noted for other genera within Irpicacae. C. damiettensis is hitherto consistently associated with date palms killed by the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, a highly damaging and invasive pest, recently spread to the Mediterranean region. C. damiettensis causes rapid wood decay by a potentially unusual white-rot mechanism and may play a role in the damage caused by R. ferrugineus.     

Isoparactis fionae sp. nov. (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniaria) from Southern Patagonia with a discussion of the family Isanthidae

A new species from Southern Patagonia, Isoparactis fionae sp. nov., is described. Isoparactis fionae sp. nov. differs from other species in the genus by having longitudinal rows of adherent rugae in the column, number of tentacles, cnidae and geographic distribution. We amend the generic position of the previously termed Paraisanthus fabiani (now Isoparactis fabiani comb. nov.), transferring it to Isoparactis as we discovered acontia in the type material of this species. We amend the binomen of Acraspedanthus ferax and use the correct binomen for the species Isoparactis ferax. In addition, we transfer the genus Isoparactis (previously within Bathyphelliidae as Acraspedanthus) to Isanthidae based on molecular evidence and because its diagnosis corresponds better with this family; we amend the diagnosis of Isanthidae accordingly. Finally, we discuss phylogenetic relationships within Isanthidae and among members of the superfamily Metridioidea. Our results show that Isanthidae is composed of derived acontiate sea anemones that have diversified in shallow waters of the Southern Hemisphere and that the family is putatively the sister group of a deep-sea lineage.     

Morphological,Molecular, and Differential-Host Characterization of Meloidogyne floridensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae), a Root-Knot Nematode Parasitizing Peach in Florida

A root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne floridensis n. sp., is described and illustrated from peach originally collected from Gainesville, Florida. This new species resembles M. incognita, M. christiei, M. graminicola, and M. hispanica, but with LM and SEM observations it differs from these species either by the body length, shape of head, tail and tail terminus of second-stage juveniles, body length and shape of spicules in males, and its distinctive female perineal pattern. This pattern has a high to narrowly rounded arch with coarsely broken and network-like striae in and around anal area, faint lateral lines interrupting transverse striae, a sunken vulva and anus, and large distinct phasmids. Molecular data from ribosomal IGS illustrate that M. floridensis n. sp. is different from the mitotic species M. arenaria, M. incognita, and M. javanica. Data from RAPDs confirm it and suggest that this new species lies in an intermediate phylogenetic position between the previous species and the meiotic species M. hapla, M. fallax, and M. chitwoodi. Differential host tests based on annual crops and on Prunus accessions are reported.     

Echinochara triplicata sp. nov. (Clavatoraceae,fossil Charophyta) from the Lower Albian of Tunisia

Echinochara Peck, 1957 is a poorly known charophyte genus from the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous of the United States and Europe. Its fossil record is currently limited to two species, Echinochara spinosa Peck, 1957 and Echinochara peckii (Mädler, 1952) nov. comb. Grambast, 1956 emend. Schudack, 1993, which have obscure phylogenetic relationships. A third species of this genus, Echinochara triplicata nov. sp., is described here from the Lower Albian of Jebel Koumine (Central Tunisia) and is hypothesized to derive from the Barremian-Aptian morphotypes of Echinochara peckii. The new species represents the first record of the genus in Africa and its more recent record worldwide. It occurs along with the clavatoraceans: Clavator harrisii zavialensis and Atopochara trivolvis trivolvis and provides an additional tool for the biostratigraphic characterization of non-marine Albian of Europe and North Africa.     

Diversimorbus metrosiderotis gen. et sp. nov. and three new species of Holocryphia (Cryphonectriaceae) associated with cankers on native Metrosideros angustifolia trees in South Africa

The Cryphonectriaceae includes important tree pathogens, especially on the Myrtales. During a routine disease survey in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, a fungus resembling the Eucalyptus pathogen Holocryphia eucalypti was observed on native Metrosideros angustifolia (Myrtales). The aims of this study were to identify the fungus and to expand surveys for fungi in the Cryphonectriaceae on M. angustifolia. Fungi were identified based on DNA sequence comparisons and morphological features, and their pathogenicity was tested on M. angustifolia under field conditions. Based on morphology and multigene phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from six gene regions, we describe a new genus including a single species and three new species of Holocryphia (Cryphonectriaceae) from M. angustifolia. These fungi are provided with the names Diversimorbus metrosiderotis gen. et sp. nov., Holocryphia capensis sp. nov., Holocryphia gleniana sp. nov., and Holocryphia mzansi sp. nov. We also revise H. eucalypti, the type of the genus, to include only isolates from Eucalyptus in South Africa. Research results indicated that H. mzansi may undergo host shifts between different tree genera in the Myrtaceae. Inoculation tests showed that isolates of all the newly described species can cause lesions on the branches of M. angustifolia, indicating that they are all pathogens of this tree.     

Two new species of Constrictoceras nov. gen. (Ammonoidea) from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) of Hungary

The new genus Constrictoceras is described below, and is represented in Hungary by two new species: Constrictoceras foezyi sp. nov. and Constrictoceras steineri sp. nov. According to morphological similarities, they are provisionally assigned to Acanthohoplitinae, but the lack of sutures cannot keep us from the idea of a possible relationship with Puzosiinae or Silesitidae, therefore its phylogenetic position of Constrictoceras gen. nov. is uncertain. Morphologically similar forms are described from the Aptian of Madagascar (Collignon, M., 1962) and from the Middle Aptian of Colombia (Sharikadze et al., 2004). Stratigraphical and paleobiogeographical use is very limited for the new genus.