The life-cycle of Ergasilus briani Markewitsch, 1993 (Copepoda: Poecilostomatoida)

The life cycle of Ergasilus briani is shown to consist of six nauplius stages, five copepodid stages and the adults. Only the adult female is parasitic. The free-living stages are described in detail. The presence of three aesthetascs on the antennules of all copepodid stages and the adult is noted for the first time. Unusual aspects of E. briani development include: the antennule is sexually dimorphic from copepodid IV onwards, the dimorphism being expressed in the numbers of setae present on the more proximal segments, and the first appearance of the male maxilliped is at the copepodid II stage. The endopodal setation of the male maxilliped is the maximum known within the Poecilostomatoida. The striking pigmentation of the developmental stages of ergasilids is noted and discussed.     

New brachiopod subfamily Anechophragmiinae (Strophomenida) from the Ordovician of the Leningrad Region

A new strophomenid subfamily Anechophragmiidae is distinguished based on the peculiarities of cardinalia. The strophomenids of this subfamily lack cardinal process at all developmental stages; their socket ridges accrete and form a high plate, which closes the pedicle opening. Two genera are referred to the subfamily: Anechophragma Neuman, 1976 and Biseptata gen. nov. with new species B. briani sp. nov. from the Ordovician of the Leningrad Region. The shell structure, exterior, endoskeleton and ontogeny of A. rarum and B. briani were studied in detail due to the excellent preservation of the material. Two species are referred to Anechophragma: A. rarum Neuman, 1976 and A. alexandrae (Andreev, 1993).     

Taxonomic, nomenclatural and chorological notes on several taxa of the genus Echinodorus (Alismataceae)

Taxonomic, nomenclatural and chorological notes on several taxa of the genus Echinodorus are given. A new species E. maculatus is described. The name Alisma intermedium (basionym of the name E. intermedius) is lectotypified. Echinodorus major and E. martii should be treated as two distinct taxa. The name E. xinguensis was invalidly published. It is also confirmed that E. africanus, E. veronikae and E. viridis (all belonging to the E. uruguayensis group) do not originate from Africa. The name E. bleherae should be written with a female suffix (-ae); this name is considered here as a synonym of the earlier name E. grisebachii.     

Notes on taxonomy of some European species of Ephemerum (Bryopsida: Pottiaceae)

Abstract

Taxonomy of some European species of Ephemerum is reviewed. As in several other recent studies, E. minutissimum Lindb. is regarded as a distinct species from E. serratum (Hedw.) Hampe; it is recorded from N. America (by the newly designated lectotype and other specimens) and Turkey, in addition to Europe. E. serratum var. angustifolium Bruch & Schimp. may be a synonym of E. minutissimum; the costate forms E. serratum var. praecox A.W.H.Walther & Molendo and E. intermedium Mitt. in Braithw. are treated as synonyms of E. serratum s.str. Type specimens of E. stellatum H.Philib. are described, a lectotype is designated and it is placed as a synonym of E. serratum s.str. E. hibernicum Holyoak & V.S.Bryan is regarded as a synonym of E. rutheanum Schimp. in Ruthe. The latter is shown to be a rare, European endemic taxon with modern records from Ireland, S. Wales, Germany and The Netherlands, and old records from France and W. Poland; a lectotype is designated. Forms intermediate between E. sessile (Bruch.) Müll.Hal. and the N. American E. crassinervium (Schwägr.) Hampe occur in several countries in W. Europe, some of them indistinguishable from some of the American plants; forms intermediate between E. sessile and E. rutheanum are recorded from S. Portugal and (rarely) Ireland. Differences between E. crassinervium, E. sessile and E. rutheanum in characters of leaves, tubers and capsules are shown to be slight, with considerable overlap. Hence all three taxa are treated as subspecies of E. crassinervium. A revised key to European Ephemerum and Micromitrium is presented.     

Genetics of colicin E susceptibility inCitrobacter freundii

The insensitivity ofCitrobacter freundii to the E colicins is based on tolerance to colicin E1 and resistance to colicins E2 and E3. Spontaneous colicin A resistant mutants ofC. freundii also lost their colicin E1 receptor function. Sensitivity to colicin E1 can be induced by F′gal ⁺ tol ⁺ plasmids, thetol A⁺ gene product of which is responsible for this effect. Receptor function for colicins E2 and E3 is induced by theE. coli F′14bfe ⁺ plasmid, which is also able to enhance notably the receptor capacity for colicin E1. Thebfe ⁺ gene product ofE. coli, which is responsible for these phenomena, also restores the receptor function for colicin A and E1 in colicin A resistant mutants ofC. freundii. All results show that there is a remarkable difference between theE. coli bfe ⁺ gene product and thebfe ⁺ gene product ofC. freundii and also between thetol A⁺ gene products of these strains. The sensitivity to phage BF23 parallels the sensitivity to colicins E2 and E3 and is also induced by the F′14bfe ⁺ plasmid.     

Genomic in situ hybridization identifies genome donor of finger millet (Eleusine coracana)

Eleusine coracana, commonly called finger millet, is an important cereal of semi-arid regions, cultivated in parts of Africa and India for its grain. It is reported to be an allotetraploid with a chromosome number 2n = 4x = 36, and diploid species E. indica, with chromosome number 2n = 2x = 18, is considered to be one of its genome donors. In situ hybridization of the E. coracana genome with the genomic DNA of various diploid species of the genus confirmed that E. indica is one of the genome donors to E. coracana and that E. floccifolia is another genome contributor to this allotetraploid species. In situ hybridization also showed a close genomic relationship between 4 diploid species, E. indica, E. floccifolia, E. tristachya and E. intermedia, and also between these and tetraploid species E. coracana. The common genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) signals of the genomic DNA of E. indica and E. tristachya on 15–18 chromosomes of E. coracana clearly indicated that these 2 species have a close genomic similarity. GISH on 25–27 chromosomes of E. coracana withthe genomic DNA of E. intermedia and cross in situ hybridization signals on the chromosomes of E. coracana with genomic DNA of E. intermedia and E. indica or E. intermedia and E. floccifolia has showed that E. intermedia may be an intermediate species of E. indica and E. floccifolia. Received: 15 May 2000 / Accepted: 4 September 2000     

3种卫矛属植物叶片秋冬季转色期生理生化特征研究

以疏花卫矛(Euonymus laxiflorus)、丝棉木(E.maackii)和卫矛(E.alatus)3种卫矛属植物为试验材料,测定叶片转色期叶色参数和相关生理生化指标,探讨各项指标的变化规律和内在联系,为优良色叶植物的筛选提供依据。结果表明:(1)转色期,疏花卫矛的明亮度参数L~*和色素参数b~*(黄/蓝)呈上升趋势,色素参数a~*(红/绿)变化不大;丝棉木的L~*和b~*呈先上升后下降的单峰曲线,a~*呈上升趋势;卫矛的L~*和b~*变化不大,a~*呈上升趋势。(2)3种植物的叶绿素含量在转色期呈明显下降趋势;疏花卫矛的花色素苷相对含量、花色素苷/叶绿素的值较为平稳,类胡萝卜素/叶绿素的值呈上升趋势;丝棉木和卫矛的花色素苷相对含量、花色素苷/叶绿素的值均呈上升趋势,类胡萝卜素/叶绿素的值保持平稳。(3)3种植物苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性呈下降趋势,查尔酮异构酶(CHI)活性呈先上升后下降的单峰曲线;卫矛的过氧化物酶(POD)和多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性保持平稳,疏花卫矛和丝棉木的POD活性呈上升趋势,疏花卫矛的PPO活性保持平稳,丝棉木的PPO活性呈下降趋势。(4)疏花卫矛和卫矛的可溶性糖和淀粉的质量分数呈先上升后下降的单峰曲线,丝棉木的可溶性糖和淀粉的质量分数呈上升趋势。(5)相关性分析显示,疏花卫矛呈现黄色主要是因为叶绿素的分解,丝棉木和卫矛呈现红色是因为花色素苷的合成,可溶性糖、淀粉、CHI对花色素苷的合成有一定作用,POD对叶片呈现红色有促进作用,PAL和PPO活性对花色素苷的合成无显著影响。     

Molecular diversity of species of the Elymus trachycaulus species complex and their relationships to non-North American taxa

Species of the E. trachycaulus complex species are known for their morphological variability, but little is known about their genetic basis. The delimitation of taxa within the complex has been controversial and difficult. E. trachycaulus is predominantly self-pollinating, and lacks clear morphological boundaries between it and E. alaskanus. Another controversial taxonomic issue of E. trachycaulus is the relationships of this complex species to non-North American E. caninus. The objectives of this study were to examine genetic diversity and the systematic relationships among the species of the E. trachycaulus complex and their relationships with E. caninus, E. alaskanus and E. mutabilis. Random amplified polymorphic DNA method was used to study 35 accessions of E. trachycaulus complex and other Elymus species. Higher genetic variation was detected within species of E. trachycaulus complex. Eurasian accessions are as variable as the North American ones. Both UPGMA and NJ analyses did not show clearly separation among species of the E. trachycaulus complex. No clear association between geographic origin and genetic grouping among these species was found. Eurasian E. trachycaulus probably originated from multiple North American populations.     

Seed morphology of Erica L. sect. Loxomeria Salisb. ex Benth., sect. Eremocallis Salisb. ex Benth. and sect. Brachycallis I. Hansen,and its systematic implications

Abstract

Several quantitative and qualitative seed characters of the seven European species of Erica sect. Loxomeria, Eremocallis and Brachycallis were studied. Two main seed types are found based on size and shape: regular ellipsoid or oblong seeds of ca. 0.4 mm for E. ciliaris and the E. tetralix group, and curved to kidney‐shaped seeds of 0.6–0.9 mm for E. cinerea, E. maderensis and E. terminalis. The testa surface in E. ciliaris is reticulate, with indented outer periclinal walls. Erica cinerea has inflated outer anticlinal walls. This character is exclusive for this species within the European (and nearby areas) species of the genus. The seeds of E. maderensis are similar to those of E. terminalis. According to seed morphology, the classical infrageneric classification, by which E. terminalis would be grouped with the E. tetralix group in sect. Eremocallis and E. maderensis in sect. Brachycallis with E. cinerea, is artificial.     

Genomic relationships between species of theElymus semicostatus group andElymus sensu lato (Poaceae)

Meiotic pairing behaviour in 19 interspecificElymus hybrids is reported and discussed. The hybrids were made between four species belonging to theE. semicostatus group of sect.Goulardia, viz.,E. semicostatus, E. abolinii, E. fedtschenkoi, andE. panormitanus (all 2n = 28), andElymus species of seven different sections, viz., sect.Clinelymiopsis:E. caucasicus (2n = 28); sect.Elymus:E. sibiricus (2n = 28); sect.Goulardia:E. caninus (2n = 28),E. trachycaulus (2n = 28), andE. tsukushiensis (2n = 42); sect.Hyalolepis:E. batalinii (2n = 42); sect.Hystrix:E. hystrix (2n = 28); sect.Macrolepis:E. canadensis (2n = 28); and sect.Turczaninovia:E. dahuricus (2n = 42). Chromosomal pairing at meiotic metaphase I indicated that the species of theE. semicostatus group are genomically closer to the tetraploidE. caucasicus and the hexaploid species, regardless of sectional origin, than to the other tetraploid species of sectionGoulardia. Highest meiotic pairing was found in hybrids involvingE. caucasicus, E. tsukushiensis, andE. dahuricus. The presence of pairing regulating genes inE. abolinii is suspected.     

Environmental influences on the distribution of the rare Eucalyptus paliformis and the common E. fraxinoides

Abstract Eucalyptus paliformis is restricted to seven small populations within an area of <5 km2 on the Wadbilliga Plateau of south-eastern NSW. It occurs as a dominant tree in habitats superficially similar to those of the more widespread E. fraxinoides, which dominates forests immediately adjacent to the E. paliformis populations. This study examined factors which may influence the replacement of E. fraxinoides by E. paliformis, and similarly, factors which exclude E. paliformis from sites dominated by E. fraxinoides. Seedling growth and competition experiments indicated that E. fraxinoides outcompetes E. paliformis under unburnt field conditions, on field soils, under high and low moisture regimes, under high light and high nutrient conditions, and under a range of temperature regimes. Thus, it is likely that E. paliformis is excluded from E. fraxinoides sites by competition. However, further investigation of the competitive relationship between the two species under recently-burnt conditions is still required to test this hypothesis. The exclusion of E. fraxinoides from E. paliformis sites is unlikely to be due to soil types or moisture regimes. Further, temperature regimes do not appear to be important in reducing the competitive advantage of E. fraxinoides over E. paliformis, leaving survival at low temperature extremes as the most promising avenue for further investigation. Temperature measurements, and evidence for low temperature dormancy mechanisms in seeds of E. paliformis but not E. fraxinoides, support the hypothesis that E. fraxinoides is excluded from E. paliformis sites by low temperature extremes.     

Ethology and ecology of cichlid fishes of the genus Etroplus in Sri Lanka: preliminary findings

Synopsis The Asian cichlid fishes, Etroplus maculatus (Bloch) and E. suratensis (Bloch) were observed in their natural habitat. Ecological and behavioral interactions of these species have not been previously reported. E. suratensis benefits from being cleaned by E. maculatus; it is doubtful the ingestion of parasites and fungi is of much direct benefit to E. maculatus. The advantage to E. maculatus is more likely the survival and reproductive success of adult E. suratensis which in turn provide eggs and eleutheroembryos for the egg-young predatory habit of E. maculatus. Predation is lessened by age-specific crypticity of E. suratensis. E. maculatus displays a unique behavior during its parental cycle where both parents actively defend their young until they are nearly sexually mature and almost the size of the parents. Adult E. suratensis engage in altruistic multiple parental care where several adults care for a single brood that presumably were spawned by only two of the adults. Such behavior has not been reported previously for fish.     

Molecular diversity and relationships of North American Elymus trachycaulus and the Eurasian E. caninus species

The morphological similarity of Elymus trachycaulus to the Eurasian E. caninus has often been noted. This has lead to controversial and contradicting taxonomic treatments. Nevertheless, there has been no systematic investigation on molecular genetic similarity between E. trachycaulus and E. caninus. In this study, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to study the similarity between the two species. RAPD analysis of 38 samples representing E. caninus and E. trachycaulus complex yielded 111 interpretable RAPD bands. The Jaccard’s similarity values for E. caninus ranged from 0.38 between accessions H10345 and H10353 to 0.97 between accessions H8745 and H10096, with an average of 0.67. The Jaccard’s similarity values for E. trachycaulus complex ranged from 0.09 between E. trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus (PI 537321) and E. trachycaulus ssp. violaceus (PI 272612) to 0.78 between accessions PI 315368 and PI 372644, with an average of 0.43. The results from different analyses (NJ and PCA) were similar but not identical. The molecular genetic separation between E. caninus and E. trachycaulus was consistent. The PCA analysis clearly separated all E. caninus accessions from E. trachycaulus and its subspecies. The NJ analysis also showed separation between most accessions of E. caninus and E. trachycaulus. Further analysis excluding E. trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus and ssp. violaceus revealed that E. caninus species and E. trachycaulus species were clearly separated into two distinct groups. The RAPD data thus support the treatment of E. caninus and E. trachycaulus as distinct species. The analyses further indicate that E. violaceus is nested within E. trachycaulus, and more related to E. trachycaulus complex rather than to E. caninus.     

Phylogenetic systematics of the Empis (Coptophlebia) hyalea-group (Insecta: Diptera: Empididae)

Six clades are inferred from a phylogenetic analysis including 42 species belonging to the Empis (Coptophlebia) hyalea‐group. These clades are named as follows: E. (C.) acris, E. (C.) aspina, E. (C.) atratata, E. (C.) hyalea, E. (C.) jacobsoni and E. (C.) nahaeoensis. The presence of two dorsal more or less developed epandrial projections is considered autapomorphic for the E. (C.) hyalea‐group in addition to two characters previously found to support the monophyly of this group (presence of an unsclerotized zone in the middle of labella and epandrium unpaired). Amongst the cladistically analysed species, 24 are newly described [ E. ( C. ) acris , E. ( C. ) aspina , E. ( C. ) cameronensis , E. ( C. ) duplex , E. ( C. ) incurva , E. ( C. ) inferiseta , E. ( C. ) kuaensis , E. ( C. ) lachaisei , E. ( C. ) lamellalta , E. ( C. ) lata , E. ( C. ) loici , E. ( C. ) longiseta , E. ( C. ) mengyangensis , E. ( C. ) menglunensis , E. ( C. ) missai , E. ( C. ) nimbaensis , E. ( C. ) padangensis , E. ( C. ) parvula , E. ( C. ) projecta , E. ( C. ) pseudonahaeoensis , E. ( C. ) submetallica , E. ( C. ) urumae , E. ( C. ) vitisalutatoris and E. ( C. ) woitapensis ], five are reviewed [E. (C.) hyalea Melander, E. (C.) jacobsoni De Meijere, E. (C.) ostentator Melander, E. (C.) sinensis Melander and E. (C.) thiasotes Melander] and 13 were recently described in two previous papers. Two additional species, E. (C.) abbrevinervis De Meijere and E. (C.) multipennata Melander, are also reviewed but not included in the cladistic analysis since they are only known from the female. A lectotype is designated for E. (C.) jacobsoni. A key is provided to the six clades of the E. (C.) hyalea‐group as well as to species of each clade. A catalogue of the E. (C.) hyalea‐group, including 72 species, is given. The taxonomic status of 25 additional species mainly described by Bezzi and Brunetti, from the Oriental and Australasian regions, is discussed. The E. (C.) hyalea‐group is firstly recorded from the Palaearctic Region and Australia. Finally, the distribution and the habitats of the species compared with their phylogeny suggest a possible relationship between the diversification of the group and forest fragmentations during the Quaternary. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 145 , 339–391.     

Epinephelus moara: a valid species of the family Epinephelidae (Pisces: Perciformes)

This study documents the major external and internal morphological differences between Epinephelus bruneus and Epinephelus moara, and analyses the complete mitogenomes of both species. The partial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (coI) sequence divergence between E. bruneus and E. moara is significantly higher than specimens within the same species (P < 0·05). Analyses of gene flow (N_m = 0·02) and genetic differentiation (?_st = 0·92995, P > 0·05) reveal reproductive isolation between E. bruneus and E. moara. These results support the hypothesis that E. moara is a valid species. Further molecular comparisons between E. bruneus and E. moara obtained in this study and a specimen identified in GenBank as E. bruneus from South Korea reveal that the latter is identical to E. moara rather than to E. bruneus.     

THE GENOME CONSTITUTION AND PHYLOGENY OF ELYMUS AMBIGUUS

Two Elymus ambiguus Vasey & Scribn. collections from Utah and Idaho were 2n = 28, and the species behaved meiotically as an allotetraploid. The E. ambiguus plants were highly self-sterile, and they hybridized readily with Asian E. junceus Fisch. (2n = 14), E. karataviensis Roshev. (2n = 28), E. multicaulis Kar. & Kir. (2n = 28), and North American E. innovatus Beal (2n = 28). Chromosome pairing at metaphase-I in the E. ambiguus X E. junceus triploid hybrids indicated that one E. ambiguus genome was closely homologous with the E. junceus genome. Chromosome pairing in the tetraploid hybrids indicated that both E. ambiguus genomes were more or less homologous with the genomes of E. karataviensis, E. multicaulis, and E. innovatus. The basic genome formula of E. ambiguus may be written as JJXX, where J is the E. junceus genome and X is a genome of unknown origin. Chromosome pairing in the hybrids indicated that E. ambiguus is more closely related to North American E. innovatus than to the Asian species. The E. ambiguus X E. innovatus hybrids were the only hybrids that set seed. Gene flow between E. ambiguus and E. innovatus is biologically possible, but geographic separation of the species precludes natural introgression.     

Delayed autonomous self‐pollination in two Japanese varieties of Epipactis helleborine (Orchidaceae)

The terrestrial orchid Epipactis helleborine is a morphologically variable species with a wide geographical distribution. It is found throughout Europe and continues eastwards to Siberia, China and Japan. It is usually pollinated by social wasps and displays the morphological characteristics of an outcrossing species. In warm, temperate areas of Japan, E. helleborine often appears in alpine or subalpine regions, and has never been found in low‐altitude forests, except for coastal pine forests. The coastal population of E. helleborine is often classified at the variety level, as E. helleborine var. sayekiana, and the inland populations are known as E. helleborine var. papillosa. It is possible that E. helleborine var. sayekiana possesses a distinctive selfing strategy, as its autonomous self‐pollination has evolved in dry habitats, such as coastal dunes. The present study investigated the pollination biology of E. helleborine var. sayekiana and var. papillosa to detect differences in their reproductive systems. Unexpectedly, both E. helleborine var. papillosa and E. helleborine var. sayekiana were found to possess a self‐pollination strategy and were therefore rarely visited by insects. Self‐pollination occurs at the end of the flowering season and probably acts to ensure pollination even if insect‐mediated pollination fails. Moreover, there are no floral differences between E. helleborine var. papillosa and E. helleborine var. sayekiana. These observations suggest that it is not necessary to distinguish between these two varieties. Furthermore, E. helleborine var. papillosa was pollinated by hoverflies, suggesting that E. helleborine var. papillosa is probably biologically distinct from its mother species, E. helleborine. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 733–743.     

Re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of sand boas of the genus Eryx (Daudin, 1803) (Serpentes: Boidae) in north-eastern Iran using sequences of the mitochondrial genome

The sand boas of the genus Eryx (Daudin, 1803) comprise four species in northe-astern Iran: E. tataricus (Lichtenstein, 1823), E. miliaris (Pallas, 1773), E. elegans (Gray, 1849), and E. jaculus (Linnaeus, 1758). Based on a morphological study of the Eryx species in the area, a high similarity between E. tataricus and E. miliaris on the one side, and E. jaculus and E. elegans on the other side has been well documented, so that they are hardly distinguishable from each other. We analysed sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 29 individuals of morphotypes of this species complex in north-eastern Iran to clarify the phylogenetic relationships. Based on the branch pattern of the phylogenetic trees, the amounts of genetic distances within and between major clades and considering the morphological data, we concluded that the traditional grouping of species within the genus Eryx in north-eastern Iran should be fundamentally revised. We believe that E. elegans is conspecific with E. jaculus, and E. tataricus is conspecific with E. miliaris. Considering the principle of priority, the north-eastern populations of Eryx in Iran should be classified into only two distinct species: E. jaculus and E. miliaris.