Soft tunic syndrome in the edible ascidian Halocynthia roretzi is caused by a kinetoplastid protist

An etiological study was conducted to clarify whether the flagellate-like cells found in histological preparations of the tunic of diseased Halocynthia roretzi (Drasche) were the causative agent of soft tunic syndrome in this ascidian. When pieces of softened diseased tunic were incubated overnight in sterile seawater, live flagellated cells, which were actively swimming in the seawater, were observed in 47 out of 61 diseased ascidians (77%), but not in moribund or abnormal individuals with normal tunics (n = 36) nor in healthy animals (n = 19). The flagellate was morphologically very similar to those observed in histological sections of the diseased tunic. By contrast, flagellates were not found in tunic pieces of healthy, moribund, and abnormal individuals that did not exhibit softening of the tunic. Light and electron microscopy revealed that the flagellate has polykinetoplastic mitochondria with discoidal cristae. The cytomorphologies of the flagellate were the same as those of the flagellate-like cells in the diseased tunic. We cultured the flagellate from the softened tunic in vitro and confirmed that the tunics of healthy ascidians, which were immersion-challenged with suspensions of the subcultured flagellates, became softened 17 d after exposure, including the final 12 d in aerated, running seawater. The occurrence of flagellates was also confirmed by incubating pieces of soft tunic from experimentally infected animals in seawater overnight. These results indicate that the flagellate is the causative agent of soft tunic syndrome.     

New taxa in the Tremellales: Bulleribasidium oberjochense gen. et sp. nov., Papiliotrema bandonii gen. et sp. nov. and Fibulobasidium murrhardtense sp. nov

Two new genera, Bulleribasidium and Papiliotrema, and three new species, B. oberjochense, P. bandonii and Fibulobasidium murrhardtense are described. An integrated analysis of morphological, ultrastructural, physiological, and molecular data indicates that the new taxa belong to the Tremellales (Basidiomycota). Relevant characteristics of the new genera and species are discussed and compared with those of closely related taxa.     

Siamosia thailandica, gen. et sp. nov. from Thailand (Amaranthaceae)

The genus Siamosia (Amaranthaceae) is established and the type species S. thailandica is described and illustrated. The pollen morphology is compared with the related genera Chamissoa, Charpentiera, Herbstia and Indobanalia .     

Palaeoanellus dimorphus gen. et sp. nov. (Deuteromycotina): a Cretaceous predatory fungus

In habitats where nitrogen is the limiting factor, carnivorous fungi gain an advantage by preying on nematodes and other microorganisms. These fungi are abundant in modern terrestrial ecosystems, but they are not predestined for preservation as fossils. Conclusions on their evolutionary history are therefore mainly based on molecular studies that are generally limited to those taxa that have survived until today. Here we present a fossil dimorphic fungus that was found in Late Albian amber from southwestern France. This fungus possessed unicellular hyphal rings as trapping devices and formed blastospores from which a yeast stage developed. The fossil probably represents an anamorph of an ascomycete and is described as Palaeoanellus dimorphus gen. et sp. nov. Because predatory fungi with regular yeast stages are not known from modern ecosystems, the fungus is assumed to not be related to any Recent carnivorous fungus and to belong to an extinct lineage of carnivorous fungi. The inclusions represent the only record of fossil fungi that developed trapping devices, so far. The fungus lived c. 100 million years ago in a limnetic-terrestrial microhabitat, and it was a part of a highly diverse biocenosis at the forest floor of a Cretaceous coastal amber forest.     

Rostromysis bacescuii gen. et sp. nov. and Megalopsis den-ticauda gen. et sp. nov. (Crustacea -- Mysidacea) from the south-west coast of Australia

Rostromysis bacescuii gen. et sp. nov. and Megalopsis denlicaudagen. et sp. nov. belonging to the tribe Leptomysini are describedfrom the south-west coast of Australia. The characters uniqueto the genus Rostromysis are the unusually long club-shapedrostrum and the large delicate lamella-like pleopods of thefemale, thus easily distinguishing it from the allied generaTenagomysis and Doxomysis. The genus Megalopsis is closely alliedto Leptomysis, Prionomysis and Promysis but is readily distinguishablein having a short linguiform uncleft telson with a pair of medianplumose setae.     

Defluviimonas denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov., and Pararhodobacter aggregans gen. nov., sp. nov., non-phototrophic Rhodobacteraceae from the biofilter of a marine aquaculture

Three Gram-negative bacterial strains were isolated from the biofilter of a recirculating marine aquaculture. They were non-pigmented rods, mesophiles, moderately halophilic, and showed chemo-organoheterotrophic growth on various sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids, with oxygen as electron acceptor; strains D9-3^T and D11-58 were in addition able to denitrify. Phototrophic or fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed D9-3^T and D11-58, and D1-19^T on two distinct branches within the alpha-3 proteobacterial Rhodobacteraceae, affiliated with, but clearly separate from, the genera Rhodobacter, Rhodovulum, and Rhodobaca. Based on morphological, physiological, and 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic characteristics, the isolated strains are proposed as new species of two novel genera, Defluviimonas denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain D9-3^T = DSM 18921^T = ATCC BAA-1447^T; additional strain D11-58 = DSM19039 = ATCC BAA-1448) and Pararhodobacter aggregans gen. nov., sp. nov (type strain D1-19^T = DSM 18938^T = ATCC BAA-1446^T).     

Tortulomyces thailandicus gen. et sp. nov. and Nitschkia siamensis sp. nov. (Coronophorales,Ascomycota) from northern Thailand

Two new species collected in northern Thailand are herein described and discussed. Tortulomyces thailandicus is the type of a new genus characterized by a combination of such features as a dense subiculum, non-ostiolate ascomata, two kinds of paraphyses (filiform and bead-like), and 1-septate, brown ascospores. Nitschkia siamensis has non-ostiolate, turbinate and stalked ascomata and hyaline, often slightly curved, 1-septate ascospores.     

Actin expression in trypanosomatids (Euglenozoa: Kinetoplastea)

Heteroxenic and monoxenic trypanosomatids were screened for the presence of actin using a mouse polyclonal antibody produced against the entire sequence of the Trypanosoma cruzi actin gene, encoding a 41.9 kDa protein. Western blot analysis showed that this antibody reacted with a polypeptide of approximately 42 kDa in the whole-cell lysates of parasites targeting mammals (T. cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major), insects (Angomonas deanei, Crithidia fasciculata, Herpetomonas samuelpessoai and Strigomonas culicis) and plants (Phytomonas serpens). A single polypeptide of approximately 42 kDa was detected in the whole-cell lysates of T. cruzi cultured epimastigotes, metacyclic trypomastigotes and amastigotes at similar protein expression levels. Confocal microscopy showed that actin was expressed throughout the cytoplasm of all the tested trypanosomatids. These data demonstrate that actin expression is widespread in trypanosomatids.     

Parapedinella reticulata gen. et sp. nov. (Chrysophyceae) from Danish waters

Parapedinella reticulata gen. et sp. nov. (Chrysophyceae) is described on the basis of light microscopy of living material, and also by means of electron microscopy of shadowcast whole mounts prepared from water samples collected in 1981 at some Danish brackish water localities. Additional information is provided by material from a marine habitat in southern Australia. The new taxon comprises small, colourless flagellates possessing a single projecting flagellum which carries tripartite hairs. The membrane of the flagellum is expanded into a sheath which is supported along the edge by a paraxial rod. The cells are covered with delicate scales and possess numerous slender protoplasmic axopodia which are retractable.     

Genitalata mahajani gen. et sp. nov. from Himachal Pradesh, India (Dermaptera: Chelisochidae)

The present paper is based on a collection of earwigs received from High Altitude Field Station, Zoological Survey of India, Solan. An interesting new genus was found which is described below.     

Studies of the Liagoraceae (rhodophyta) of Western Australia: Gloiotrichus fractalis gen. et sp. nov. and Ganonema helminthaxis sp. nov.

Two new taxa of Liagoraceae (Nemaliales) are described from Western Australia. Gloiotrichus fractalis gen. et sp. nov. has been collected from 3–20 m depths at the Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia. Plants are calcified, extremely lubricous, and grow to 17 cm in length. Carpogonial branches are straight, 6 or 7 cells in length, arise from the basal or lower cells of cortical fascicles, and are occasionally compound. Branched sterile filaments of narrow elongate cells arise on the lower cells of the carpogonial branch prior to gonimoblast initiation, at first on the basal cells, then on progressively more distal cells. Following presumed fertilisation the carpogonium divides transversely, with both cells giving rise to gonimoblast filaments. The distal cells of the carpogonial branch then begin to fuse, with fusion progressing proximally until most of the cells of the carpogonial branch are included. As fusion extends, the filaments on the carpogonial branch are reduced to the basal 2 or 3 cells. The gonimoblast is compact and bears terminal carposporangia. Spermatangial clusters arise on subterminal cells of the cortex, eventually displacing the terminal cells. The sequence of pre- and post-fertilisation events occurring in the new genus separates it from all others included in the Liagoraceae, although it appears to have close affinities with the uncalcified genus Nemalion. Ganonema helminthaxis sp. nov. was collected from 12 m depths at Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Plants are uncalcified and mucilaginous, the axes consisting of a few (< 10) primary medullary filaments, each cell of which gives rise to a cortical fascicle at alternate forks of the pseudodichotomies borne on successive medullary cells. Subsidiary (adventitious) filaments and rhizoids comprise the bulk of the thallus. Carpogonial branches are straight, (3-)4(-6) cells in length, arise on the basal 1–4 cells of the cortical fascicles, and are frequently compound. Carposporophytes develop from the upper of two daughter cells formed by a transverse division of the fertilised carpogonium. Ascending and descending sterile filaments girdle the carpogonial branch cells and arise mostly on the supporting cell prior to fertilisation. Ganonema helminthaxis is the first completely non-calcified member of the genus, and its reproductive and vegetative morphology supports the recognition of Ganonema as a genus independent from Liagora. Liagora codii Womersley is a southern Australian species displaying features of Ganonema, to which it is transferred.     

Prosthecobacter fusiformis nov. gen. et sp., the fusiform caulobacter

Four strains of heterotrophic, fusiform caulobacters have been isolated from freshwater sources. A single prostheca extends from one pole of mature cells, and cells attach to various substrata by means of a holdfast located at the distal tip of the appendage. Thus, superficially these bacteria bear a strong resemblance to bacteria in the genus Caulobacter. However, unlike Caulobacter these bacteria do not exhibit a dimorphic life cycle of motile, non-stalked daughter cells and immotile, stalked mother cells. Instead both mother and daughter cells are immotile, and at the time of cell separation the daughter cells are essentially identical mirror-image replicas of the mother cell. In addition, the prosthecae of these fusiform caulobacters do not have crossbands, they are somewhat wider than the stalks of Caulobacter and the pseudostalks of Asticcacaulis, and they terminate in a bulbous tip. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) base composition ranges from 54.6–60.1, well below the 62–67 range for the genus Caulobacter. Based upon these and other differences, a new genus and species, Prosthecobacter fusiformis, is proposed for the fusiform caulobacters.     

Leuconema clavatulum gen. et sp. nov. (Leuconemataceae fam. nov.), a colourless blue–green alga (Nostocophyceae)

A colourless epiphyte found on Cladophora dalmalica Kütz. from the Danish Wad–densea appears to be new to science. While referable to the blue–green algae (Nostocophyceae) it cannot be accommodated into any known genus. Consequently a new genus Leuconema , with Leuconema clavatulum as the type species, is proposed. The genus is placed in a new family, Leuconemataceae, the systematic position of which is discussed.
Inst. f. Sporeplanter, Univ. of Copenhagen, Ø. Farimugsgade 2D, DK–1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark.     

Indopottia zanderi (Bryophyta,Pottiaceae) gen. et sp. nov. from the Western Ghats of India

Abstract

Indopottia zanderi, a new genus and species of the Pottiaceae, is described from the Silent Valley National Park in the Western Ghats in Peninsular India. The distinctive features of Indopottia are the leaf cells being weakly convex on both surfaces, costal stereid-band semicircular in cross-section, guide cells rounded-ovate or semicircular, seta short and operculum very long. The affinities of the allied genera, Ganguleea, Tortula and Weisiopsis, are discussed. The new genus Indopottia may be placed in the tribe Hyophileae.     

Mobilicoccus pelagius gen. nov., sp. nov. and Piscicoccus intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov., two new members of the family Dermatophilaceae, and reclassification of Dermatophilus chelonae (Masters et al. 1995) as Austwickia chelonae gen. nov., comb. nov

Two Gram-positive bacteria, designated strains Aji5-31(T) and Ngc37-23(T), were isolated from the intestinal tracts of fishes. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that both strains were related to the members of the family Dermatophilaceae, with 95.6-96.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. The family Dermatophilaceae contains 2 genera and 3 species: Dermatophilus congolensis, Dermatophilus chelonae and Kineosphaera limosa. However, it has been suggested that the taxonomic position of D. chelonae should be reinvestigated using a polyphasic approach, because the chemotaxonomic characteristics are not known (Stackebrandt, 2006; Stackebrandt and Schumann, 2000). Our present study revealed that strains Aji5-31(T), Ngc37-23(T) and D. chelonae NBRC 105200(T) should be separated from the other members of the family Dermatophilaceae on the basis of the following characteristics: the predominant menaquinone of strain Aji5-31(T) is MK-8(H(2)), strain Ngc37-23(T) possesses iso- branched fatty acids as major components, and the menaquinone composition of D. chelonae is MK-8(H(4)), MK-8 and MK-8(H(2)) (5 : 3 : 2, respectively). On the basis of these distinctive phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis results, it is proposed that strains Aji5-31(T) and Ngc37-23(T) be classified as two novel genera and species of the family Dermatophilaceae. The names are Mobilicoccus pelagius gen. nov., sp. nov. and Piscicoccus intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov., and the type strains are Aji5-31(T) (=NBRC 104925(T) =DSM 22762(T)) and Ngc37-23(T) (=NBRC 104926(T) =DSM 22761(T)), respectively. In addition, D. chelonae should be reassigned to a new genus of the family Dermatophilaceae with the name Austwickia chelonae gen. nov., comb. nov.     

Byssoonygena ceratinophila,gen. et sp. nov. a new keratinophilic fungus from Spain

Summary Byssoonygena ceratinophila, gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated from two strains isolated, by hair bait method, from Spanish soils. The genus is characterized by ascomata with a hyaline and very thin peridium, and by ellipsoidal, brown, verrucose ascospores. A Malbranchea anamorph is also present.