DNA analysis reveals rich diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hydnotrya</Emphasis> with emphasis on the species found in China

Molecular analysis of the truffle genus Hydnotrya was conducted with nrDNA-ITS sequences available including newly generated sequences from Chinese specimens. Twenty-one phylotypes were recognized with the threshold of 97% ITS identity. Seven phylotypes corresponded to the described species, H. bailii, H. cerebriformis, H. cubispora, H. laojunshanensis, H. michaelis, H. cf. variiformis, and H. tulasnei, and four phylotypes represented by Chinese specimens were described and illustrated as new species, i.e., H. badia, H. brunneospora, H. nigricans, and H. puberula. The remaining ten phylotypes may represent undescribed species. Moreover, the 21 phylotypes grouped into four distinct clades each having as core species H. cerebriformis, H. cubispora, H. michaelis, and H. tulasnei, respectively, which were strongly supported by phylogenetic analysis and morphological characterization.     

Life cycle of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aylax hypecoi</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Insecta: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae</Emphasis>), a gall inducer on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypecoum</Emphasis> ssp. (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Papaveraceae</Emphasis>)

The life cycle and developmental stages of Aylax hypecoi (Trotter, 1913, Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Aylacini) were studied in detail. Aylax hypecoi is known to induce galls in fruits of two Hypecoum species — H. imberbe and H. geslini (Papaveraceae) and the larva develops in host plant fruits. The morphology and development of egg, larva and pupa were investigated, which has previously not been done. The shape and size of terminal-instar larvae and associated galls are sex-specific. Overwintering stage, adult emergence and flying periods, and egg productivity were studied also.     

Systematic Rearrangement of Korean <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scirpus</Emphasis> L. s.l. (Cyperaceae) as Inferred from Nuclear ITS and Chloroplast <Emphasis Type="Italic">rbcL</Emphasis> Sequences

The genus Scirpus L. s.l. (Cyperaceae) has been accepted as a polyphyletic taxon by most plant taxonomists. This genus was separated into different genera by several different authors: Scirpus s. str., Trichophorum Pers., Bolboschoenus (Asch.) Palla, Schoenoplectus (Rchb.) Palla, and Schoenoplectiella Lye. The heterogeneity of Korean Scirpus s.l. has not yet been studied. We examined 17 taxa of Korean Scirpus s.l. by morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS and chloroplast rbcL sequences. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian method provided sufficient resolution. The phylogeny revealed the polyphyly of Korean Scirpus s.l. with five distinct clades. These clades correspond to Bolboschoenus, Schoenoplectus s.str., and Schoenoplectiella, Scirpus s.str., and Trichophorum, respectively. These five genera were delimited in terms of the morphology of tuber, bract, and inflorescence. By virtue of our findings, we suggest that the 17 taxa of Korean Scirpus s.l. should be placed into five genera as follows: Bolboschoenus (two species), Schoenoplectus (three species), Schoenoplectiella (six species), Scirpus s.str. (five species), and Trichophorum (one species).     

Phylogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gunnera</Emphasis>

 The phylogeny of the genus Gunnera is investigated for the first time. Twelve species representing the six currently recognised subgenera are analysed. Two chloroplast DNA regions, the rbcL gene and the rps16 intron, together provide 46 informative characters out of 2335. A combined analysis of both genes gives four most parsimonious trees, firmly establishing the east South American G. herteri as sister group to the rest of the genus. The African G. perpensa is sister group to two well-supported clades, one including the South American subgenera Misandra and Panke, the other the Australian/New Zealand/Malayan species of subgenera Milligania and Pseudogunnera. Thus, South America is a composite area for Gunnera, showing up at two different levels in the cladogram. Our analysis supports a close biogeographic relationship between Australia and New Zealand. The evolution of some morphological characters is discussed. Lastly, the unusual structure of some of the rbcL sequences is reported. Received July 6, 2000 Accepted October 24, 2000     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Desmosorus</Emphasis>, a new rust genus (Uredinales)

Uredo behnickiana (syn. Hemileia americana and H. oncidii) is known on orchids of the genera Cattleya, Epidendrum, Laelia, Lophiaris and Oncidium. Previously, only the uredinial stages of these fungi have been described. The telial stage of the rust species was found for the first time on Oncidium marshallianum. Because of a unique combination of morphological characters the fungus could not be assigned to Hemileia or any other known rust genus. Desmosorus is proposed, therefore, as a new genus with Desmosorus oncidii as the single known species. Desmosorus is characterised by (1) suprastomatal sori on which the spores are formed at the ends of branched hyphae, by (2) subglobose to ovoid, echinulate urediniospores with a smooth patch around the hilum and by (3) thin-walled, oblong elliptical to cylindrical teliospores with a rounded apex.     

A monograph of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Octoknema</Emphasis> (Octoknemaceae — Olacaceae <Emphasis Type="Italic">s.l.</Emphasis>)

A revision of Octoknema Pierre is provided, based on morphological data gathered from a study of herbarium specimens and observations in the field. Fourteen species of Octoknema are recognised including six new species: O. bakossiensis Gosline & Malécot, O. belingensis Gosline & Malécot, O. chailluensis Malécot & Gosline, O. kivuensis Gosline & Malécot, O. mokoko Gosline & Malécot and O. ogoouensis Malécot & Gosline. Data are given for four additional poorly known taxa (Octoknema species A, B, C and D).     

Ecology and distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tephroseris longifolia</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">moravica</Emphasis> in relation to environmental variation at a micro-scale

Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica is an endemic endangered taxon of European importance. Within the nine recently known populations it occurs in very specific site conditions of ecotone habitats. In our contribution, we try to quantify its realized niche with regard to the measured components of its biotic and abiotic environment. The main aim was to assess the importance of spatial environmental variation on taxon occurrence and performance and to relate the obtained ecological information to data on taxon abundance and demography. Possible reasons of taxon rarity are discussed, too. Comparison of plot pairs indicated that plots containing the taxon had deeper soil and higher soil Na and Mg contents than plots without it. They also contained higher number of species, especially forbs. Several soil parameters were positively correlated with taxon size and density while light parameters played minor role. Negative correlations between cover of vascular plants, especially grasses and taxon size and density suggest its reduced competitive ability. Vascular plant-based ecological indicator values were set for light (6), temperature (5), continentality (4), moisture (5), soil reaction (7) and nutrients (5). The studied sites differed in topography, soil characteristics (pH, soil Na, K, Ca, P and NH₄) and cover of herb litter. Size of taxon populations was negatively related to their finite rate of increase which varied between 1.25 and 2.04 and was most sensitive to demographic parameters related to growth. We conclude, that the studied taxon is not strictly stenotopic as the ranges of several environmental variables were rather wide. We suppose, that the narrow limits of recent taxon occurrence are consequences of its low competitive ability and demographic processes related to germination and seedling establishment. The differing requirements of its ontogenetic stages (seedlings and generative individuals) may define the final limits of its small-scale distribution.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of two ITS groups of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe</Emphasis> (Erysiphales) occurring on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syringa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ligustrum</Emphasis> (Oleaceae)

ITS sequences determined for 53 Erysiphe specimens on Syringa and Ligustrum collected in Europe, East Asia, and North and South America were divided into two ITS groups, S and K types. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these two ITS types do not share a common ancestor and form separate clades. The K type on Ligustrum was identified as Erysiphe ligustri based on the three-dimensional branching pattern of appendages. Morphological observations showed that there are some morphological differences—pigmentation of appendages and number of ascospores per ascus—between the S and K types on Syringa. Based on these morphological observations, the S and K types on Syringa were identified as E. syringae and E. syringae-japonicae, respectively. The recent abundant production of chasmothecia by lilac powdery mildew in Europe was caused by E. syringae-japonicae introduced from East Asia. DNA sequence analyses of the rDNA ITS region and the 28S rDNA, tub2, CYP51, and Chs1 genes did not support an interspecific hybrid origin for E. syringae-japonicae. Haplotype analysis suggested that E. syringae originated in North America and independently migrated to East Asia and Europe/South America.     

A rare hybridization event in two common Caribbean wrasses (genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halichoeres</Emphasis>; family Labridae)

Molecular tools were used to evaluate the hybrid status of a specimen with intermediate colour pattern between Halichoeres bivittatus and Halichoeres garnoti from Belize. Phylogenetic analyses of the two species, eight Halichoeres species from new and old world lineages and two outgroups showed that the study species are closely related and that H. garnoti is the maternal contributor to the putative hybrid specimen, based on partial mitochondrial COI data. Direct sequencing of Intron 1 of the nuclear ribosomal protein S7 identified H. bivittatus as sister to H. garnoti with the putative hybrid specimen in an intermediate position, due to heterozygosity at nucleotides alternatively fixed in the two putative parent species. This is consistent with the hybrid status of the specimen, with parental contributions from both H. garnoti and H. bivittatus. These results, combined with no evidence of introgression between the two parent species (based on the mtDNA and the single investigated nuclear marker) and the biogeography and ecology of these species suggests that this is a rare event with minimal evolutionary implications.     

Origin of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Homo</Emphasis>

The origin of the genus Homo in Africa signals the beginning of the shift from increasingly bipedal apes to primitive, large-brained, stone tool-making, meat-eaters that traveled far and wide. This early part of the human genus is represented by three species: Homo habilis, Homo rudolfensis, and Homo erectus. H. habilis is known for retaining primitive features that link it to australopiths and for being the first stone tool makers. Little is known about H. rudolfensis except that it had a relatively large brain and large teeth compared to H. habilis and that it overlapped in time and space with other early Homo. Our understanding of the paleobiology and evolution of the larger-brained H. erectus is enhanced due to its rich fossil record. H. erectus was the first obligate, fully committed biped, and with a body adapted for modern striding locomotion, it was also the first in the human lineage to disperse outside of Africa. The early members of the genus Homo are the first to tip the scale from the more apish side of our evolutionary history toward the more human one.     

Gynogenesis in the vine cacti <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hylocereus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Selenicereus</Emphasis> (Cactaceae)

Gynogenesis was investigated on the allotetraploid Selenicereus megalanthus and the diploid Hylocereus polyrhizus and Hylocereus undatus vine cactus species. Unpollinated ovules from developing flower buds containing microspores at middle uninucleate developmental stage were cultured on MS basal medium containing 2,4-D/TDZ with different sucrose concentrations. Ovule size increased under dark culture conditions in all the three species and the level of response was species and sucrose concentration dependent. The best responses were achieved in the two S. megalanthus accessions, E-123 and J-80, at 0.18 and 0.26 M sucrose. Only ovule enlargement was obtained in H. undatus and both ovule enlargement and callus were obtained in H. polyrhizus. Development in both species ceased and embryoids were not formed. Plant regeneration was directly and indirectly obtained in both S. megalanthus accessions. Ploidy level was determined for a total of 29 S. megalanthus gynogenic plants using flow cytometry: 15 were found to be dihaploid (plants with the gametophytic chromosome number) and the other 14 were found to have higher ploidy levels. This is the first report of successful gynogenesis in Cactaceae. The dihaploids of S. megalanthus successfully produced by ovule culture techniques opens new perspectives in vine cacti breeding.     

Presence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. albidus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. laurentii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. uniguttulatus</Emphasis> in Crop and Droppings of Pigeon Lofts (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Columba livia</Emphasis>)

Columba livia is an important reservoir and carrier of Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus uniguttulatus, Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus albidus. Upper digestive tract of this species is also known as a habitat for Cryptococcus neoformans. Given the increasing clinical interest of this microorganism, 331 swabs from crop and 174 dropping samples from pigeon lofts in Grand Canary Island have been studied. The obtained results show an extensive presence samples 81 positive (24.47%) of Cryptococcus spp. in analysed crops: 32 (9.66%) for C. neoformans, 24 (7.2%) for C. uniguttulatus, 23 (6.9%) for C. albidus and 2 (0.6%) for C. laurentii. In the same way, Cryptococcus spp was also isolated in 82 (47.13%), dropping samples: C. neoformans in 59 (33.9%), C. uniguttulatus, in 9 (5.17%), C. laurentii in 8 (4.59%) and C. albidus in 6 (3.44%) of the investigated samples, respectively. The cryptococcosis produced by species of cryptococci other than C. neoformans has become more important during the last decade, supporting the study on the role of pigeon in the epidemiology of this disease.     

A novel clade of sporocarp-forming species of glomeromycotan fungi in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diversisporales</Emphasis> lineage

In the early times of taxonomy of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota), exclusively sporocarpic species were described. Since then the focus has mainly shifted to species forming spores singly. For many of the sporocarpic species, no molecular data have been made available, and their phylogenetic position has remained unclear. We obtained small subunit ribosomal rDNA and internal transcribed spacer data from specimens of glomeromycotan sporocarps from tropical areas that were assigned to three morphospecies. The complete sequence of the 18S small rDNA subunit sequence, internal transcribed spacers (ITS) 1 and 2 and 5.8S rDNA subunit, was determined from a sporocarp of Glomus fulvum. Partial sequences of the small subunit and the other regions were obtained from Glomus pulvinatum and the newly described species Glomus megalocarpum. Molecular phylogenetic analyses placed all species analyzed as a monophyletic sister group to the Diversispora spurca/Glomus versiforme clade group (“Glomus group C”) within the Diversisporales. The phylogenetic divergence from other known species suggests that this clade may constitute a new genus. These findings will have important consequences for taxon definition in the Diversisporales. They will facilitate identification of these fungi using rDNA sequences within colonized roots or the environment. Taxonomic novelties: Glomus megalocarpum D. Redecker     

Effect of temperature on size and shape of silica scales in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Synura petersenii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mallomonas tonsurata</Emphasis> (Stramenopiles)

Synurophytes are planktonic protists whose cells are covered with silica scales. According to the temperature-size rule, protists decrease in size with increasing temperature. Here, we showed that inorganic silica scales responded to increasing temperature in the same way as the cells did. Two species, Mallomonas tonsurata and Synura petersenii, were cultivated at five temperature levels (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25°C) and the methods of geometric morphometrics were applied for scale size and shape data analyses. We observed that the shape of the scales was significantly affected by the cultivation temperature. The overall shape change from rounded, circular scales to oval or more elongated scales seemed to be a general feature in synurophytes and may be considered a consequence of rising temperature. Moreover, the difference in shape remained significant even if the effect of size (allometric effect) was separated. Finally, we compared the level of the scales’ morphological variation among all temperature treatments. The results indicated that the cultivation temperature of 25°C negatively affected cellular processes involved in scale biogenesis. The use of the scale shape data has potential in palaeoecological research.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sinningia lutea</Emphasis> (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Southern Brazil

Sinningia lutea (Gesneriaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from the Pampa Biome, in Southern Brazil. In the literature, this species has hitherto been confused with S. allagophylla from which it can be easily separated using a set of floral and vegetative features (especially corolla color and size and leaf shape). An artificial key to separate S. lutea from S. allagophylla and S. curtiflora (another sympatric species, with some morphological similarities) is presented. Some ecological remarks on the differential distribution of S. lutea and S. allagophylla are also made.     

The discovery of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caligus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">temnodontis</Emphasis> Brian, 1924 (Copepoda: Caligidae) from the bluefish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomatomus saltatrix</Emphasis> (Linnaeus) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

The temnodontis variety of Caligus mauritanicus Brian, 1924 described by Brian (1924) is a valid species known only from a single host species, Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus). New material of this species has been examined from the same host fish caught from Abuqir Bay, Alexandria (Egypt), from Iskenderun Bay (Turkey) and from off the coast of South Africa. Using this material, C. temnodontis Brian, 1924 is redescribed and compared with related species. It is most closely related to the Indo-Pacific species C. pagrosomi Yamaguti, 1939.