<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudopestalotiopsis ignota</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ps. camelliae</Emphasis> spp. nov. associated with grey blight disease of tea in China

We combined morphological and combined ITS, TUB and TEF sequence data to infer the phylogeny of the recently introduced genus Pseudopestalotiopsis. Two new species from China, Ps. camelliae from blighted leaves of Camellia sinensis and Ps. ignota from an undetermined host in China, are introduced with illustrated accounts and compared with similar taxa. Grey blight disease of tea appears to be caused by a group of fungi that constitutes a species complex. A new combination is proposed to emend the monophyly of Pseudopestalotiopsis and a species comparison is provided for taxa in the genus.     

Fungi from leaves of lotus (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nelumbo nucifera</Emphasis>)

In spite of the self-cleaning property of its leaves called the lotus effect, leaves of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) provide a habitat for an unknown fungal diversity. The aim of this study was to detect and identify fungi from leaves of N. nucifera, including ectophytic, parasitic and endophytic fungi, in Taiwan using different collection strategies, as well as morphological and diverse molecular markers established in the different systematic groups of fungi. Among ectophytic and parasitic fungi, a new species of Dissoconium and of Pseudocercospora are described, respectively. Phyllosticta nelumbonis Sawada is transferred to Diaporthe. Among plant parasitic fungi, Erysiphe takamatsui and Ps. nymphaeacea are recorded in Taiwan for the first time. Euryale is recorded as a new host genus for Ps. nymphaeacea. The basidiomycetous yeast Fereydounia khargensis is recorded for the first time from living plants and in East Asia. Endophytic fungi from lotus were studied for the first time. From 1002 plant segments, 476 endophytic isolates were produced in culture, comprising 33 typical terrestrial species mainly belonging to the genera Colletotrichum (mainly C. siamense), Diaporthe (D. tulliensis and D. ueckerae) and Fusarium (F. solani species 6, hitherto known from clinical samples), as well as to Xylariaceae, but no Ingoldian fungi. Most isolates were from leaf laminas (71%) compared to those from petioles (29%). From this observation, we conclude that the fungi of the aquatic lotus plant appear to have terrestrial origin and, after dispersal by wind and in spite of the lotus effect, may enter the plant from the lamina. Only three species isolated as endophytes were also found as ectophytic or parasitic fungi.     

<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.     

Molecular evidence for hybridization between invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solidago canadensis</Emphasis> and native <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>. <Emphasis Type="Italic">virgaurea</Emphasis>

Hybridization between alien and native species is biologically very important and could lead to genetic erosion of native taxa. Solidago × niederederi was discovered over a century ago in Austria and described by Khek as a natural hybrid between the alien (nowadays regarded also as invasive) S. canadensis and native S. virgaurea. Although interspecific hybridization in the genus Solidago is considered to be relatively common, hybrid nature of S. × niederederi has not been independently proven using molecular tools, to date. Because proper identification of the parentage for the hybrid Solidago individuals solely based on morphological features can be misleading, in this paper we report an additive polymorphism pattern expressed in the ITS sequences obtained from individuals representing S. × niederederi, and confirm the previous hypothesis that the parental species of this hybrid are S. canadensis and S. virgaurea. Additionally, based on variability at the cpDNA rpl32-trnL locus, we showed that in natural populations hybridization occurs in both directions.     

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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sporidiobolus johnsonii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sporidiobolus salmonicolor</Emphasis> revisited

The relationship between Sporidiobolus johnsonii and S. salmonicolor was investigated using rDNA sequence data. Two statistically well-supported clades were obtained. One clade included the type strain of S. johnsonii and the other included the type strain of S. salmonicolor. However, some mating strains of S. salmonicolor were found in the S. johnsonii group. These strains belonged to mating type A2 and were sexually compatible with mating type A1 strains from the S. salmonicolor group. DNA–DNA reassociation values were high within each clade and moderate between the two clades. In the re-investigation of teliospore germination, we observed that the basidia of S. salmonicolor were two-celled. In S. johnsonii, basidia were not formed and teliospore germination resulted in direct formation of yeast cells. We hypothesize that the S. johnsonii clade is becoming genetically isolated from the S. salmonicolor group and that a speciation process is presently going on. We suspect that the observed sexual compatibility between strains of the S. johnsonii and S. salmonicolor groups and the possible genetic flow between the two species has little biological relevance because distinct phenotypes have been fixed in the two taxa and intermediate (hybrid) sequences for LSU and ITS rDNAs have not been detected.     

Taxonomy and geographic distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carex lucorum</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">austrolucorum</Emphasis> (section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acrocystis</Emphasis>, Cyperaceae)

Carex lucorum currently comprises two morphologically similar varieties. We revise the taxonomy of C. lucorum, and map the distribution of the taxa. Based on multivariate analyses and analyses of variance of measured characters, allopatry, and previous studies revealing differences in achene micromorphology, chromosome differences, and flavonoid chemistry, we elevate C. lucorum var. austrolucorum to species status as C. austrolucorum. We provide an identification key to C. lucorum and its closest relatives.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cortinarius</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Riederi</Emphasis>: taxonomy and phylogeny of the new section with European and North American distribution

Cortinarius is one of the most species-rich genera of mushroom-forming fungi. Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, Cortinarius, sect. Riederi, is introduced at sectional level (= subsect. Riederi sensu Brandrud & Melot). The taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology and distribution of not only mainly European but also including some North American taxa of this section are treated, which includes nine species and two varieties. Of these, three taxa are described as new (C. burlinghamiae, C. pallidoriederi and C. argenteolilacinus var. dovrensis). The sect. Riederi species possess morphological features similar to Phlegmacium group(s) and forms a phylogenetically isolated lineage, with no supported affinity to other phlegmacioid groups. Three taxa are known from both Europe and North America, two species are known only from North America and five only from Europe. Altogether, eight of the ten taxa are associated with conifers or northern (boreal-subalpine) deciduous trees (Betula spp.). Only two species occur in more temperate forests (Fagus forests), and no species have so far been found in thermophilous Quercus forests     

First molecular detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anaplasma phagocytophilum</Emphasis> in the hard tick <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides</Emphasis> in Taiwan

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is transmitted mainly by hard ticks and can cause potentially fatal granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans, but its occurrence in ticks in Taiwan has never been investigated although this pathogen has been detected in Taiwanese rodents before. Ticks collected from small mammals in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, were assayed for Anaplasma infections; infections of Rickettsia and Apicomplexa protozoans were also studied. Of the 270 individually assayed Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides ticks, A. phagocytophilum was identified in a nymphal tick. Parasites most similar to Anaplasma bovis, Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia sp. TwKM01, and at least seven apicomplexan species (including genera Cryptosporidium, Hepatozoon, and Theileria) were also identified. This study shows that A. phagocytophilum does occur in the hard tick in Taiwan, although whether R. haemaphysaloides can vector this pathogen remains to be determined. This work also reveals a high diversity of tick-borne bacteria and protozoans circulating in a small region and calls for further research on their potential risks for human health.     

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.     

Molecular analyses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficus erecta</Emphasis> and its allies within the subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Frutescentiae</Emphasis> (Moraceae)

Ficus (Moraceae) is a keystone group in tropical and subtropical forests with remarkable diversity of species and taxonomical challenges as a consequence of fig–pollinator coevolution. Ficus subsect. Frutescentiae includes about 30 species that are predominantly shrubs or small trees with Terminalia branching. Many of these species are difficult to delimit morphologically, and the group includes a tangle of uncertain taxa and incorrectly applied names. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis with internal and external transcribed spacer data (ITS and ETS) and data from 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci to evaluate the species status of the most perplexing members of this subsection. The results confirm the monophyly of subsect. Frutescentiae, with F. pedunculosa as sister to the rest. The F. erecta complex comprises approximately 17 taxa: F. erecta, F. abelii, F. boninsimae, F. nishimurae, F. iidaiana, F. gasparriniana var. laceratifolia, F. gasparriniana var. viridescens, F. pyriformis, F. stenophylla, F. fusuiensis, F. fengkaiensis, F. sinociliata, F. tannoensis, F. vaccinioides, F. formosana, F. pandurata, and F. periptera. The last five of these were supported as good species, while the others were not well supported by the present evidence. Evidence also supported the status of the non-F. erecta complex species including. F. pedunculosa, F. ischnopoda, F. heteromorpha, and F. variolosa. Ficus filicauda and F. neriifolia are possibly conspecific. The species status of F. potingensis should be restored and it should be treated as a member of section Eriosycea. Identification of the remaining taxa (F. gasparriniana var. esquirolii, F. ruyuanensis, F. daimingshanensis, F. chapaensis, F. changii, F. trivia, and F. tuphapensis) and their relationships to the F. erecta complex were not clarified. As a whole, only ten species in this subsection are confirmed, one is excluded, one is synonymous, and the others are either unresolved or short of samples. There appears to be a consistent genetic background among these unresolved groups, which suggests that repeated hybridization (as a result of pollinator host shifts) has filled up the interspecific gaps during the fig–pollinator coevolution process.     

Insights into the genetic relationships among plants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta</Emphasis> using SNP markers

Key message

Using a much higher number of SNP markers and larger sample sizes than all the previous studies, we characterized the genetic relationships among wild and cultivated plants of section Beta.

Abstract

We analyzed the genetic variation of Beta section Beta, which includes wild taxa (Beta macrocarpa, B. patula, B. vulgaris subsp. adanensis and B. vulgaris subsp. maritima) and cultivars (fodder beet, sugar beet, garden beet, leaf beet, and swiss chards), using 9724 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. The analyses conducted at the individual level without a priori groups confirmed the strong differentiation of B. macrocarpa and B. vulgaris subsp. adanensis from the other taxa. B. vulgaris subsp. maritima showed a complex genetic structure partly following a geographical pattern, which confounded the differences between this taxon and the cultivated varieties. Cultivated varieties were structured into three main groups: garden beets, fodder and sugar beets, and leaf beets and swiss chards. The genetic structure described here will be helpful to correctly estimate linkage disequilibrium and to test for statistical associations between genetic markers and environmental variables.