New species of the genus Scaphocalanus (Calanoida: Scolecithricidae) from the Iskenderun Bay – northeastern Levantine Basin

A new calanoid copepod species Scaphocalanus emine n. sp. is described for the first time from the Iskenderun Bay, northeastern Levantine Basin. S. emine is similar to S. affinis (Sars, 1905) having both identical orientation of the posterolateral corners of the cephalothorax and a median crest on the forehead. The new species is also similar in some features to S. affinis in the structure of Re1P1- lacking the outer marginal spine and by the presence of the rounded apex on the distal internal margin. It differs from S. affinis as the median crest on the forehead is smaller and due to the presence of a rudimentary endopod furnished with an apical spine on the P5. Originality in construction of the P1 and P5 distinguish the new species from other Scaphocalanus species.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gymnopilus</Emphasis> Sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microspori</Emphasis> from Japan

Gymnopilus ombrophilus sp. nov., growing on rotten wood of conifers and hardwoods from Niigata, Japan is described and illustrated. It is characterized by its medium-sized, brownish-orange basidiocarps with a finely squamulose pileus, stipe lacking an annulus, and mild taste, and microscopically by dextrinoid, small, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. The new species belongs to the section Microspori. The differences between the taxon and similar species are briefly discussed.     

Fungal Infection of Mantis Shrimp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oratosquilla oratoria</Emphasis>) Caused by Two Anamorphic Fungi Found in Japan

Two fungal pathogens of the mantis shrimp (Oratosquilla oratoria) in Yamaguchi and Aichi Prefectures, Japan are described as the new species Plectosporium oratosquillae and Acremonium sp. (a member of the Emericellopsis marine clade). Both fungi infect the gills of the mantis shrimp, which become brown or black due to melanization. The former species is characterized by its slow growth on artificial seawater yeast extract peptone glucose (PYGS) agar, pale yellow to pale orange or grayish yellow colonies, short cylindrical solitary phialides with a wavy tip, and one-celled ellipsoidal conidia. Although lacking the two-celled conidia demonstrated by the type species Plectosporium tabacinum, the taxonomic placement of the new species was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (ITS1, 5.8S rDNA and ITS2). Acremonium sp., the other causal pathogen, differs from P. oratosquillae by its fast growth on PYGS agar, pale orange to salmon-colored colonies, long, slender conidiophores consisting of solitary phialides with tips lacking an undulate outline, and typically cylindrical conidia. Analysis of ITS and β-tubulin gene sequences placed this fungus within the phylogenetically distinct Emericellopsis (anam. Acremonium) marine clade. Various physiological characteristics of both pathogens were also investigated. This is the first report of a fungal infection found on the mantis shrimp in Japan.     

Gonad morphology,oocyte development and spawning cycle of the calanoid copepod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acartia clausi</Emphasis>

Information on gonad morphology and its relation to basic reproductive parameters such as clutch size and spawning frequency is lacking for Acartia clausi, a dominant calanoid copepod of the North Sea. To fill this gap, females of this species were sampled at Helgoland Roads from mid March to late May 2001. Gonad structure and oogenesis were studied using a combination of histology and whole-body-analysis. In addition, clutch size and spawning frequency were determined in incubation experiments, during which individual females were monitored at short intervals for 8 and 12 h, respectively. The histological analysis revealed that the ovary of A. clausi is w-shaped with two distinct tips pointing posteriorly. It is slightly different from that of other Acartia species and of other copepod taxa. From the ovary, two anterior diverticula extend into the head region, and two posterior diverticula extend to the genital opening in the abdomen. Developing oocytes change in shape and size, and in the appearance of the nucleus and the ooplasm. Based on these morphological characteristics, different oocyte development stages (OS) were identified. Mitotically dividing oogonia and young oocytes (OS 0) were restricted to the ovary, whereas vitellogenic oocytes (OS 1–4) were present in the diverticula. The development stage of the oocytes increased with distance to the ovary in both, anterior and posterior diverticula. Most advanced oocytes were situated ventrally, and their number varied between 1 and 18, at a median of 4. All oocyte development stages co-occur indicating that oogenesis in A. clausi is a continuous process. These morphological features reflect the reproductive traits of this species. In accordance with the low numbers of mature oocytes in the gonads, females usually produced small clutches of one to five eggs. Clutches were released throughout the entire observation period at intervals of 90 min (median) resulting in mean egg production rates of 18–28 eggs female⁻¹ day⁻¹.     

Two new species of the orientalis group of Rheocricotopus (Psilocricotopus) from China (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Rheocricotopus (Psilocricotopus) calviculus sp. n. and R. (P.) villiculus sp. n. from China are described as male imagines. The species are closely related to the previously described R. (P.) orientalis Wang forming a new group, the orientalis group, which eventually may deserve the rank of subgenus or even genus. The group is distinguished by lacking a humeral pit, numerous sensilla clavata on third palpomere, cuneiform wings, no or few setae on squama, long legs, banded abdomen, very long inferior volsella, gonocoxite with apical extensions, and gonostylus with a median triangular projection.     

Synonymy of two species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platycephalus</Emphasis> and validity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platycephalus westraliae</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Platycephalidae)

The type specimens of platycephalid Platycephalus endrachtensis Quoy and Gaimard 1825 are regarded as being conspecific with Platycephalus arenarius Ramsay and Ogilby 1886, so the latter becomes a junior synonym. This species is characterized as having a caudal fin with four or more longitudinal dark bands and lacking a yellow blotch. It is also found that Platycephalus westraliae (Whitley 1938), which had been considered to be a junior synonym of Platycephalus bassensis Cuvier 1829, is a valid species. Specimens that recently had been mistakenly identified as “P. endrachtensis,” having the caudal fin with three or four longitudinal dark bands and a yellow blotch on the upper lobe, should be referred to P. westraliae.     

Muscular architecture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Milnesium tardigradum </Emphasis>and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypsibius </Emphasis>sp. (Eutardigrada,Tardigrada) with some data on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ramazottius oberhaeuseri</Emphasis>

The architecture of the musculature of the eutardigrade species Milnesium tardigradum Doyère, 1840, Hypsibius sp. and Ramazzottius oberhaeuseri (Doyère in Ann Sci Nat Zool Sér 2(14):269–369, 1840) is investigated by phalloidin staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy. There are methodological problems in staining eutardigrades due to physiological alterations under stress (anhydrobiosis) and due to penetration problems of the cuticle. It is helpful to fix specimens in the state of asphyxy, where animals are stretched following an oxygen shortage in their environment. The musculatures of all three species correspond in their general architecture, but differ in detail, such as in the number of muscles. All muscles are isolated muscle strands. There are on each body side two dorsal and one ventral muscle strands, in addition to a system of dorsoventral, lateral and lateroventral muscles. Seven median ventral attachment points give rise to dorsoventral, ventrolateral and appendage muscles. The appendages receive several muscles originating dorsally and ventrally. The number of muscles and the arrangement differ in each appendage. The fourth appendage shows the greatest differences with a far smaller number of muscles compared to other species. The musculature shows comparably few strict segmental patterns, for example, the musculature of each appendage differs from the other ones. By comparison with literature data on the same species and data of Macrobiotus hufelandi it can be shown that eutardigrades have a roughly comparable muscular architecture, but that there are several differences in detail. Dedicated to Professor Westheide on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Embryogenic cell lines of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juniperus communis</Emphasis>; easy establishment and embryo maturation,limited germination

Several coniferous species belonging to the Pinaceae family can be propagated via somatic embryogenesis, while species belonging to the Cupressaceae family cannot. The aim of this study was to identify possibilities and limitations with somatic embryogenesis in Cupressaceae. Juniperus communis was chosen as model species. We show that a high initiation frequency of embryogenic cell lines can be established from intact megagametophytes at the time when intensive cleavage polyembryogeny takes place. The embryogenic cell lines proliferate fast on medium lacking plant growth regulators. Early somatic embryos develop after transfer to medium with decreased content of nitrogen and calcium. The early embryos mature after exposure to abscisic acid. Mature cotyledonary embryos germinate after partial desiccation. A high proportion, over 40%, of the germinating embryos retain the embryogenic potential in the basal part, resulting in development of new embryogenic tissue.     

A study on the epidermal structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Periophthalmodon</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Periophthalmus</Emphasis> mudskippers with reference to their terrestrial adaptation

Epidermal structures of three species of Periophthalmus (Ps.) and two species of Periophthalmodon (Pn.) were investigated in relation to their lifestyle. All species of both genera lack a dermal bulge, which species of other two oxudercine genera, Boleophthalmus and Scartelaos, have in their epidermis. In Periophthalmus and Periophthalmodon species, which are highly terrestrial, the middle cells are well developed in the epidermis and the capillaries are distributed in the surface of the epidermis on the head and dorsal body. In Periophthalmus species and Pn. septemradiatus, the capillaries and blood vessels are also distributed in the epidermis of the abdomen, superficially in Ps. modestus and deeply in other species. In Ps. modestus, the capillaries are also densely distributed on the surface of the epidermis in the caudal area, whereas in other species, the epidermal capillaries and blood vessels of this area are located deep with a very low density. In Pn. schlosseri, the epidermal capillaries are not found in either the abdominal area or caudal area. A comparison of the distribution of epidermal capillaries among Boleophthalmus, Periophthalmodon, Periophthalmus, and Scartelaos species revealed that the skin makes a larger contribution to respiration in the species having a more terrestrial lifestyle. Goblet mucous cells are completely lacking in Periophthalmus species, whereas slimelike materials were often found on the skin surface of Periophthalmus species. This finding suggests that Periophthalmus species have some unknown mechanism for producing mucus. In Pn. schlosseri, exposure of the dense capillary net on the surface of the head is likely to increase cutaneous respiration, but it also makes the fish an attractive target of bloodsucking insects.Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic format at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10228-003-00173-7     

Microtubule orientation in globular leaflet cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chara inflata</Emphasis>

Chara inflata has globular leaflet cells and cylindrical internodal cells. The morphology of the leaflet cells is different from that of other Characeae. The orientation of cortical microtubules (MTs) in young leaflet and internodal cells of this species was analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. MTs with random orientation were observed in leaflet cells, while those relatively transverse to the cell axis were observed in cylindrical internodal cells. In cylindrical leaflet cells in Chara corallina, transverse MTs were observed. These results imply that C. inflata is a morphological mutant lacking a mechanism for orienting cortical MTs transverse in leaflet cells.     

Virulence of entomopathogenic hypocrealean fungi infecting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anoplophora glabripennis</Emphasis>

Twenty isolates of four species of entomopathogenic hypocrealean fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii, Isaria farinosa, and Metarhizium anisopliae) were found to be pathogenic to adults of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis. Survival times for 50% of the beetles tested (ST₅₀) ranged from 5.0 (M. anisopliae ARSEF 7234 and B. brongniartii ARSEF 6827) to 24.5 (I. farinosa ARSEF 8411) days. Screening studies initially included strains of B. brongniartii, which is registered as a microbial control agent in Europe, Asia and South America but not in North America. At that time, we could not confirm that this fungal species is native to North America which added uncertainty regarding future registration of this species for pest control in the USA. Therefore, subsequent bioassays documented median survival times for three M. anisopliae isolates (5–6 days to death) and two of these isolates are suggested for further development because they are already registered for pest control in the USA. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Mycocin production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptococcus aquaticus</Emphasis>

Double-stranded RNA viruses of about 35 nm in diameter were isolated from a mycocin-secreting strain of Cryptococcus aquaticus. A derivative of this strain, lacking small dsRNA, was non-mycocinogenic and sensitive to its own toxin. The killing pattern of this mycocin was restricted to some species of the Cystofilobasidiales clade. Despite the differences in genome size of dsRNA viruses in mycocinogenic strains of Cryptococcus aquaticus, Cystofilobasidium sp. CBS 6569, Cystofilobasidium bisporidii, Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum, Trichosporon pullulans and Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous and killing patterns of their mycocins, the viral genomes showed homology in hybridisation experiments.     

Revision of the East Asian genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ditrema</Emphasis> (Embiotocidae), with description of a new subspecies

A review of the species and subspecies of Ditrema from East Asia recognized the following taxa: D. jordani Franz, 1910, D. temminckii pacificum subsp. nov., D. t. temminckii Bleeker, 1853, and D. viride Oshima, 1940. Ditrema jordani is characterized by a coppery-red body when fresh, the posterior end of the dorsal-fin base anterior to that of the anal-fin base, a dark rounded marking on the anterior suborbital area margined with white lines or a broad dark inverse trapezoid marking on the anterior part of the suborbital region, the lower half of the spinous portion of the dorsal fin often with a longitudinal black stripe, and a faint longitudinal dark line along the anal-fin base. Ditrema temminckii is characterized by a silvery body, usually bluish dorsally when fresh, a black oblique band on the anterior suborbital area, the spinous portion of the dorsal fin with a black distal margin, and no dark line along the anal-fin base. Ditrema t. pacificum, mainly distributed along the Pacific Ocean coast, differs from D. t. temminckii, mainly distributed along the coast of Sea of Japan, in lacking a dark spot on the anterior portion of the preopercle (vs. dark spot present in the latter), but having a black line along the posterior margin of the pelvic-fin spine (vs. black spot anteriorly on base of pelvic fin), fewer dorsal-fin spines (usually 9 or 10 vs. 10 or 11), more dorsal-fin soft rays (mode 21 vs. mode 20), and longer pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins. The two nominal species (D. smitti and D. leave) are regarded as junior synonyms of D. t. temminckii. Ditrema viride is characterized by a silvery, dorsally yellowish-green body when fresh, 9–11 dorsal-fin spines (mode 10), a dark triangular marking on the anterior suborbital area, the spinous portion of the dorsal fin with a black distal margin, a longitudinal black line along the anal-fin base and the pelvic fin slightly darkish, and lacking a black spot anteriorly on the base. Neotypes are designated for D. jordani and D. viride. A key to the species and subspecies of Ditrema is provided.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> micropropagation of four lupin species

The complete protocols for long-term micropropagation of some cultivars of four lupin species: Lupinus luteus, L. albus, L. angustifolius and L. mutabilis were elaborated. The shoots were regenerated in vitro via induction of axillary buds development. Plantlets were multiplicated on lowered salts MS-derived media containing BAP in diverse and generally low concentrations. Significant differences in regeneration capacity between species and cultivars were observed. The highest multiplication ratio revealed L. mutabilis and L. luteus. Regenerated shoots were rooted in vitro on low-salts MS-derived media with B5 vitamins. Media were supplemented with different auxins that affected roots formation of particular species and cultivars. Rooting ability of regenerated shoots decreased rapidly through in vitro culture. For that reason, grafting was applied as an alternative method of transfer of shoots to in vivo conditions. This method turned out to be successful for the majority of studied species and cultivars. Complete rooted or grafted plantlets were cultivated in pots with perlit in greenhouse. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Notes on the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Inocybe</Emphasis> of Japan. IV. Species having metuloids collected from Hokkaido,Honshu, and Kyushu

This fourth paper in the series considers five species of Inocybe occurring in Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu. (1) Inocybe furfurea (section Tardae) is recorded from Hokkaido as new to Japan. (2) Inocybe luteola sp. nov. (section Tardae) is described from eastern Honshu (Chiba). It has smooth basidiospores and thick-walled caulocystidia descending to the middle of the stipe. (3) Inocybe napiformis sp. nov. [section Inocybe (= Cortinatae)], known from Hokkaido, appears close to Inocybe napipes, but characters of the metuloids distinguish the two species. (4) Inocybe grammata (section Marginatae) is recorded from Hokkaido and Nagano as new to Japan. (5) Inocybe pyriformis sp. nov. (section Marginatae) is described from Kyushu (Miyazaki). It has nodulose basidiospores and caulocystidia wholly covering the stipe surface. However, I. pyriformis is not typical in the section, lacking a marginate bulbous base in its stipe.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia calystegiae-soldanellae</Emphasis>, a new rust species on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calystegia soldanella</Emphasis> from Japan

A rust species on Calystegia soldanella in Japan has been treated as Puccinia convolvuli to date. However, morphological characteristics of specimens on C. soldanella collected from Japan are significantly different from those of specimens on other Calystegia and Convolvulus species from different areas of the world. It is proved by inoculation experiment that the rust on C. soldanella is specific to C. soldanella. Based on these results, Puccinia rust on C. soldanella from Japan is described as a new species, Puccinia calystegiae-soldanellae.     

Bioecology of the fiddler crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uca uruguayensis</Emphasis> and the burrowing crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chasmagnathus granulatus</Emphasis> (Decapoda,Brachyura) in the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Bahía Samborombón,Argentina

The aim of the present work conducted at the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Bahía Samborombón, Argentina, is to analyse the most relevant aspects of the life cycles of Chasmagnathus granulatus and Uca uruguayensis: their abundance, size distribution and sex ratio in order to be used for make management purposes. A total of 1200 individuals of U. uruguayensis (megalopae, juveniles and adults) and 957 individuals of C. granulatus (juveniles and adults) were collected from March 2001 to February 2003. U.␣uruguayensis had a maximun density of 42 ind./m² in February 2003, while the maximun density of C.␣granulatus was 52 ind./m² in June 2001. Minimun density was zero individual for both species in July 2002. Each environmental factor sampled (temperature of water, salinity and pH) was correlated with the abundance of each species by Pearson’s linear correlation analysis. Sex ratio did not significantly differ from the expected Mendelian ratio, except for U. uruguayensis in December 2002 (male-biassed) and C.␣granulatus in June and December 2001, April 2002 and February 2003 (female-biassed). Ovigerous females of U. uruguayensis and C. granulatus were found during the summer.     

Comparative seed morphology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leandra</Emphasis> (Miconieae,Melastomataceae)

The seed morphology of 79 species of neotropical Miconieae (Melastomataceae) is presented. These species have been chosen, in majority, from the polyphyletic genus Leandra. A few other species from the polyphyletic genera Miconia, Ossaea, and Clidemia were also sampled, because of potential similarities. Sixteen morphological seed types are defined after analysis through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The seed morphology appears to possess a great deal of variability on the level of the overall shape as well as the structure and the surface of the testa. The different types defined here do not match with genera or sections, but rather are composed of species coming from different genera. In comparison with a preliminary molecular phylogeny study done on Leandra, some types of seeds are related to well supported clades. In some cases seed morphology corresponds with natural groups of species, thus being of high phylogenetic importance.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cabillus atripelvicus</Emphasis>, a new species of gobiid fish from the Ogasawara Islands,with a key to species of the genus

Cabillus atripelvicus is described from three specimens, 26.1–40.6 mm in standard length, collected from depth 17–29 m in the Ogasawara Islands. In addition, two small specimens taken by dredge in 50–55 m from Sagami Bay, Honshu, and one from Tachibana Bay, Kyushu, are identified as this species but not designated as paratypes. Cabillus atripelvicus is distinguished from the four other described species of the genus by its high count of 18–20 pectoral rays, presence of median predorsal scales, longer pectoral fins, and distinctive color pattern, including black pelvic fins. The range of C. lacertops Smith, 1959 is extended east to the Marshall Islands and that of C. tongarevae (Fowler, 1927) east to American Samoa. More species remain to be described in the genus. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic format at     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kazachstania wufongensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., an ascosporogenous yeast isolated from soil in Taiwan

A new yeast species, Kazachstania wufongensis, is proposed in this paper based on six strains isolated from soil in Taiwan. The species may produce one to four ellipsoidal ascospores in each ascus, directly transformed from diploid cells. Genus assignment and distinction of the species from other recognized species of Kazachstania is based on morphological and physiological characteristics, and on phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene reveals that K. wufongensis is a member of the Kazachstania exigua complex, and its phylogenetically closest relatives are K. exigua, K. barnettii, K. bulderi, and K. turicensis. The species can be further differentiated from the other phylogenetically related species based on internal transcribed spacer sequence and electrophoretic karyotype. Therefore, the new species Kazachstania wufongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this new species, which was isolated from forest soil in Wufong, Hsinchu, Taiwan, is FN21S03^T (=CBS 10886^T = BCRC 23138^T).