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.     

Validity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scolecenchelys aoki</Emphasis>, with a redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scolecenchelys gymnota</Emphasis> (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae)

The myrophine ophichthid fishes (worm eels) Muraenichthys aoki Jordan and Snyder 1901 and Muraenichthys gymnotus Bleeker 1857 are redescribed as valid species of Scolecenchelys based on the types and non-type specimens collected from the Indo-Pacific. Because both species are similar to each other in having acute snouts, the posterior margin of the eye before the rictus, and their dorsal-fin origins located slightly posterior to a vertical line through the anus, Scolecenchelys aoki has usually been regarded as a junior synonym of Scolecenchelys gymnota. However, S. aoki is clearly distinguishable from S. gymnota by having a median groove on the ventral side of snout (absent in S. gymnota), uniserial maxillary teeth in smaller specimens (<200 mm TL; vs. biserial), three infraorbital sensory pores at postorbital area (vs. two), and more numerous vertebrae (56–65 in predorsal vs. 51–57; 53–58 in preanal vs. 47–52). Scolecenchelys aoki is restricted to Japanese waters and regarded as a senior synonym of Muraenichthys borealis Machida and Shiogaki 1990. Scolecenchelys gymnota is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific, from South Africa and the Red Sea to Samoa, north to Okinawa, Japan. Sphagebranchus huysmani Weber 1913 and Muraenichthys fowleri Schultz 1943 are synonymized under S. gymnota.     

Redescriptions of the Indo-Pacific atherinid fishes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atherinomorus forskalii</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atherinomorus lacunosus</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atherinomorus pinguis</Emphasis>

The Indo-Pacific marine atherinid fishes Atherinomorus forskalii (Rüppell, 1838), Atherinomorus lacunosus (Forster, 1801), and Atherinomorus pinguis (Lacepède, 1803) are redescribed as valid species based on the types and non-type specimens collected throughout the Indo-Pacific. They are similar to each other chiefly in having a wide midlateral band (almost the same or greater than the midlateral scale width), large mouth (posterior tip of upper jaw reaching to or beyond a vertical through anterior margin of pupil), and no distinct tubercle at the posterior end of the dentary. All three species are distinguishable from congeners by those characters. The three species have long been confused with each other or synonymized erroneously as a single species. Atherinomorus forskalii, known from the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean, differs from Atherinomorus lacunosus and Atherinomorus pinguis in having conspicuous, large endopterygoid teeth, forming obvious tooth ridges. Atherinomorus lacunosus, widely distributed in almost the entire Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Tonga, north to southern Japan, and south to northern Australia, differs from Atherinomorus pinguis in having a wider midlateral band (the lower margin reaching to almost the center of the fourth scale row at level of the anal fin origin vs. the lower margin reaching to the ventral end of the third scale row in Atherinomorus pinguis) and more numerous midlateral scales (40–44 vs. 38–41 in Atherinomorus pinguis). Atherina morrisi Jordan and Starks, 1906, Hepsetia pinguis mineri Nichols and Roemhild, 1951, Pranesus capricornensis Woodland, 1961, Pranesus maculatus Taylor, 1964, and Pranesus pinguis ruppelli Smith, 1965, are regarded as junior synonyms of Atherinomorus lacunosus. Atherinomorus pinguis is also widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa to northern Australia and north to southern Japan. Atherina pectoralis Valenciennes, 1835, is considered a junior synonym of Atherinomorus pinguis. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic format at     

Re-establishment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stylosanthes gracilis</Emphasis> (Leguminosae) at species level

In most taxonomic revisions of Stylosanthes Sw., Stylosanthes gracilis Kunth has been regarded as a variety or even a synonym of S. guianensis (Aubl.) Sw. This has created considerable confusion among scientists working with the latter species which is an agriculturally important tropical forage and cover legume. This study collected taxonomically relevant evidence, for evaluating S. gracilis as a valid species. Since the type specimen is lost, a collection from the same location as the original type is proposed here as a neotype.     

Monitoring the effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rodolia cardinalis</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Icerya purchasi</Emphasis> populations on the Galapagos Islands

In January 2002, the first biological control program was implemented on the Galapagos Islands with the release of the Australian coccinellid Rodolia cardinalis Mulsant to control the invasive cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell. This was the first time that Galapagos authorities had approved the introduction of a biological control agent to this iconic archipelago and, because of this precedent, it was important to monitor and evaluate its behaviour soon after its introduction. Surveys were carried out after the release of R. cardinalis in 2002 to confirm establishment on Santa Cruz Island. In 2009, seven years post-release, a broader survey was done to document spread throughout the archipelago. Directly after the release of R. cardinalis in 2002, a predator exclusion study and field observations were carried out on scale insect populations on white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa [L.] Gaertn. F.) on Santa Cruz Island to document impact. In less than three months after R. cardinalis was released in 2002, populations of I. purchasi on white mangrove that were exposed to the predator in the exclusion experiment, or were monitored in the field, had declined by 99–100%. Results suggest that R. cardinalis played a key role in this decline, possibly in combination with high rainfall. Rodolia cardinalis dispersed quickly after its release and by 2009 was found in a wide variety of habitats on seven of the eight islands surveyed that had records of I. purchasi. Two of these were self-introductions. Further monitoring is recommended to determine whether this biological control agent has successfully reduced scale insect numbers on other valued plant species.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penopus</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Ophidiidae) from the Ryukyu Trench,the West Pacific,with remarks on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penopus microphthalmus</Emphasis>

The bathyal genus Penopus (Ophidiidae) is revised based on 23 specimens. One specimen from the Ryukyu Trench represents a new species, Penopus japonicus. The remaining 22 specimens were found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and neither 28 meristic and morphometric characters nor several morphological characters show any differences between the two populations. This supports Séret (1988), who considered Penopus macdonaldi Goode and Bean 1896 a junior synonym of Penopus microphthalmus (Vaillant 1888). The new Japanese species can be separated from the Atlantic species by having fewer rays in the dorsal (117 vs. 135–158) and anal (89 vs. 106–122) fins, the squamation of the head restricted to the middle part of the preopercle versus the squamation covering the dorsum, preopercle and the opercle in part, a distinct spine behind the posterior nostril versus the spine hardly visible and 9 spines on the hind margin of the preopercle versus 4–7 spines.     

Redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neoscombrops cynodon</Emphasis> (Regan, 1921), a senior synonym of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neoscombrops annectens</Emphasis> Gilchrist, 1922 (Perciformes: Acropomatidae)

Neoscombrops annectens Gilchrist, 1922, described from off Natal, South Africa, has long been regarded as a valid species. Although Acropoma cynodon Regan, 1921, also described from off Natal, was found to be Neoscombrops, they were regarded as distinct species, distinguishable by body depth and body color. Examination of many specimens, including the holotype of A. cynodon and neotype of N. annectens, revealed that the differences are within the range of intraspecific variation. N. cynodon is redescribed as a senior synonym of N. annectens.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Doederleinia gracilispinis</Emphasis> (Fowler, 1943), a junior synonym of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Doederleinia berycoides</Emphasis> (Hilgendorf, 1879), with review of the genus

A poorly known acropomatid, Rhomboserranus gracilispinis Fowler, 1943, was originally described on the basis of specimens from the Philippines. Since the recognition of Rhomboserranus as a junior synonym of Doederleinia, R. gracilispinis had been considered a valid species of Doederleinia. Examination of the holotype of R. gracilispinis and other type series of nominal species of Doederleinia showed them to be included in the single species D. berycoides (Hilgendorf, 1879). The sole representative of Doederleinia is distributed from Japan to northwestern Australia. This species is distinguishable from other acropomatids by the following combination of characters: head and body red; nine dorsal-fin spines; three anal-fin spines; no luminous organ; a row of conical teeth with a large canine tooth medially on lower jaw; large conical teeth on anterior part of outer margin with two or three large canine teeth on inner margin on upper jaw; and anus situated just anterior to origin of anal fin.     

Gene transfer into <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis> via <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizobium</Emphasis> spp.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) is the preferred technique for gene transfer into crops. A major disadvantage of the technology remains the complexity of the patent landscape that surrounds ATMT which restricts its use for commercial applications. An alternative system has been described (Broothaerts et al. in Nature 433:629-633, 2005) detailing the propensity of three rhizobia to transform the model crop Arabidopsis thaliana, the non-food crop Nicotiana tabacum and, at a very low frequency, the monocotyledonous crop Oryza sativa. In this report we describe for the first time the genetic transformation of Solanum tuberosum using the non-Agrobacterium species Sinorhizobium meliloti, Rhizobium sp. NGR234 and Mesorhizobium loti. This was achieved by combining an optimal bacterium and host co-cultivation period with a low antibiotic regime during the callus and shoot induction stages. Using this optimized protocol the transformation frequency (calculated as % of shoots equipped with root systems with the ability to grow in rooting media supplemented with 25 μg/ml hygromycin) of the rhizobia strains was calculated at 4.72, 5.85 and 1.86% for S. meliloti, R. sp. NGR234 and M. loti respectively, compared to 47.6% for the A. tumefaciens control. Stable transgene integration and expression was confirmed via southern hybridisation, quantitative PCR analysis and histochemical screening of both leaf and/or tuber tissue. In light of the rapid advances in potato genomics, combined with the sequencing of the potato genome, the ability of alternative bacteria species to genetically transform this major food crop will provide a novel resource to the Solanaceae community as it continues to develop potato as both a food and non-food crop.     

Type studies of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus</Emphasis> reported from Japan

Eight type specimens of Pleurotus reported from Japan were examined. Four new combinations, Marasmius alopecius, Omphalotus guepiniformis, Marasmiellus leiophyllus, and Hohenbuehelia squamula, are proposed. Pleurotus cyatheae is accepted in the original genus. The following species are synonyms: Pleurotus harmandii, a synonym of Omphalotus guepiniformis; P. minutoniger, a synonym of Resupinatus striatulus; and P. pulchellus, a synonym of Hohenbuehelia tremula. Omphalotus japonicus (= Lampteromyces japonicus) is a synonum of O. guepiniformis.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Democricetodon</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megacricetodon</Emphasis> (Mammalia,Cricetidae) from the Miocene of Sandelzhausen,Southern Germany

The cricetid species Democricetodon gracilis (Fahlbusch, 1964), Democricetodon mutilus (Fahlbusch, 1964), Megacricetodon bavaricus (Fahlbusch, 1964), and Megacricetodon minor (Lartet, 1851) from Sandelzhausen (Early/Middle Miocene boundary, MN5, Southern Germany) are represented by more than 2,000 molars providing substantial data on the variability in sizes and on variation in morphologies. Temporal and spatial distributions of these species indicate that they are probably immigrants in SE Germany, originating from south-eastern or more southern areas. Except for M. minor, whose origin is not clear and could be regarded as an immigrant from more eastern areas. Using the length of the mesoloph in the second upper molars as an indicator of habitat, D. gracilis and M. minor had a preference for a humid habitat, D. mutilus and M. bavaricus a preference for drier habitats.      

Mitochondrial cytochrome <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis> sequences resolve the taxonomy of field mice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Apodemus</Emphasis>) in the western Balkan refugium

Apodemus sylvaticus stankovici, described from the topographically rough landscape of the western Balkan glacial refugium, was recently proposed as being either a junior synonym of Apodemus flavicollis or a species on its own right. To untangle this taxonomic vagueness, we sequenced complete cytochrome b gene in 28 field mice collected at 12 locations in the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, western Macedonia and northern Greece. Samples yielded 27 new haplotypes which clustered into two distinct groups. One of these clades also included the reference haplotype of A. flavicollis, while another cluster emerged as being identical with the reference sample for A. sylvaticus. As is common in Apodemus, both species retrieved in our analysis were characterized by low levels of intraspecific variation (0.4–0.9%) as opposed to a high level of differentiation between them (8.0–10.0%); therefore, the taxonomic classification of our material was without doubt. We found no evidence regarding the presence of an additional cryptic species in the mountains of the western Balkans. The very similar values of genetic variability in the two species imply their common evolutionary history of a long-term coexistence in the western Balkan refugium.     

Taxonomic status and type specimens of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platycephalus bataviensis</Emphasis> Bleeker 1853 (Teleostei: Platycephalidae)

Taxonomic status and type specimens of Platycephalus bataviensis Bleeker 1853, described based on two syntypes (110 and 140 mm TL) from Batavia (= Jakarta), are discussed. Four platycephalid specimens have been recognized as possible syntype(s) of P. bataviensis. Of them, a specimen of 140.5 mm TL deposited at Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, identified as Inegocia japonica, is regarded to be the larger syntype and is designated as the lectotype of P. bataviensis in this study, while the paralectotype of the species is not identified. As a result, P. bataviensis becomes a junior synonym of I. japonica.     

Phylogenetic affiliation of the desert truffles <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picoa juniperi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picoa lefebvrei</Emphasis>

The molecular phylogeny and comparative morphological studies reported here provide evidence for the recognition of the genus Picoa, an hypogeous desert truffle, in the family Pyronemataceae (Ascomycota, Pezizales). Picoa juniperi and Picoa lefebvrei were reassigned to the genus Picoa based on large subunit (LSU) sequence (28S) rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA (including the partial 18S, ITS1, ITS2, 5.8S gene, and partial 28S of the nuclear rDNA) data. Morphological studies of spores, asci, perida, and gleba revealed high similarities between P. lefebvrei and P. juniperi, thereby confirming the membership of both species in the genus Picoa. These two species were primarily distinguishable based on ascospore ornamentation.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe patagoniaca</Emphasis>: a new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe </Emphasis>sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uncinula </Emphasis>from Patagonia,Argentina

 A new species of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula is described and illustrated from Patagonia, Argentina. Erysiphe patagoniaca sp. nov., found on leaves of Nothofagus × antarctica, is similar to E. nothofagi and E. kenjiana, but differs in its appendages being twisted throughout their length and the number of appendages, asci, and ascospores. The two endemic species of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula, E. magellanica and E. nothofagi, coexisted on the same leaves together with Erysiphe patagoniaca. Received: September 19, 2002 / Accepted: November 28, 2002 Acknowledgments The authors are grateful to Ms. Seiko Niinomi for providing the micrographs of ascomata of Erysiphe spp. on Nothofagus. Correspondence to:S. Takamatsu     

Taxonomical notes on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Torymidae</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Insecta: Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea</Emphasis>)

As a result of investigations over type material from a collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, a new synonym and two new combinations in the Torymidae family (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are proposed: Eridontomerus illiesi Szelényi, 1981 as a junior synonym of Cryptopristus caliginosus (Walker, 1833); Eridontomerus unidentatus Szelényi, 1973 is transferred to the genus Pseudotorymus Masi, 1921; and Idiomacromerus obscuripennis (Szelényi, 1973) is transferred to the genus Torymoides Walker, 1871.