Wuacanthus (Acanthaceae), a new Chinese endemic genus segregated from Justicia (Acanthaceae)

A new genus, Wuacanthus Y.F. Deng, N.H. Xia & H. Peng (Acanthaceae), is described from the Hengduan Mountains, China. Wuacanthus is based on Wuacanthus microdontus (W.W.Sm.) Y.F. Deng, N.H. Xia & H. Peng, originally published in Justicia and then moved to Mananthes. The new genus is characterized by its shrub habit, strongly 2-lipped corolla, the 2-lobed upper lip, 3-lobed lower lip, 2 stamens, bithecous anthers, parallel thecae with two spurs at the base, 2 ovules in each locule, and the 4-seeded capsule. Phylogenetic analyses show that the new genus belongs to the Pseuderanthemum lineage in tribe Justicieae. Wuacanthus is closely related to Pseuderanthemum but differs from the latter by its shorter corolla tube and two minute spurs at the base of each anther-theca. W. microdontus is assessed with the status EN B2ab (iii) based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.     

Population differentiation and phylogeography of Hygrophila pogonocalyx based on RAPDs fingerprints

Genetic variation of the endangered species, Hygrophila pogonocalyx Hayata (Acanthaceae), was estimated based on RAPD fingerprints. According to the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Nature Resources, H. pogonocalyx is on the Red List Category due to its endangered status. Entomophilous plants of H. pogonocalyx are mostly pollinated by honeybees. Gene flow between populations is constrained by the migratory capacity of the pollinators. A survey based on RAPD fingerprinting using 50 random primers revealed the distribution of genetic variation following an “isolation by distance” model. A hierarchical AMOVA analyses indicated significant differentiation between geographical regions (Φ_ct=0.934; P=0.048), among populations (Φ_st=0.945; P<0.001), and among populations within region (Φ_sc=0.169; P<0.001). The differentiation between geographic populations may be ascribed to a long isolation since the formation of the Central Mountain Range 1 million years ago. In contrast to low levels of genetic variation in many endangered species, some genetic processes avoiding selfing may have evolved in H. pogonocalyx. Somatic mutation also possibly contributed to the variability maintenance within populations with limited size.     

Four new species of Desmosomatidae Sars, 1897 (Crustacea: Isopoda) from the deep sea of the Angola Basin

From a total of 104 species and 1741 individuals of Isopoda, the material from DIVA-1 (DIVersity of the Atlantic benthos) contained 364 specimens belonging to Desmosomatidae Sars, 1897. They are represented by 10 genera and 27 species. Most species (93%) are new to science. Four species are described in this study (Eugerdella theodori sp. nov., Desmosoma renatae sp. nov., Torwolia tinbiene sp. nov. and Momedossa longipedis sp. nov.). A discussion of the genera Desmosoma Sars, 1864, Momedossa Hessler, 1970 and Torwolia Hessler, 1970 is presented.     

多基因联合分析棒束孢属Isaria（Ascomycota,Cordycipitaceae）系统发育关系

对棒束孢属Isaria及近缘属物种开展5基因（nrSSU、nrLSU、tef-1α、rpb1和 rpb2）测序并联合分析,结合GenBank相关类群序列,探讨棒束孢属系统发育关系,最终获得95个菌株、58个明确分类群的2-5基因序列。利用MEGA和MrBayes软件进行多基因聚类分析,结果表明棒束孢属多系起源于虫草菌科中,分3个不同分支。A支主要由Isaria cicadae、I. teniupes、I. coleopterorum、I. fumosorosea和I. cateniannulata等组成;B支包括I. poprawkii、I. locustica、I. javanica、I. amoenerosea和I. cateniobliqua;C支仅有I. farinosa。分支间被Cordyceps militaris、C. ninchukispora、C. pruinosa等隔开。棒束孢在形态上,主要以瓶梗基部膨大、尖端变细及孢子呈链状等特征与其他类群分开,但同时也发现有棒状分生孢子梗和单孢子类型。基于节点的分歧时间预测分析,推测棒束孢属首次分化于70Mya,但棒束孢属主要物种形成却在60-55Mya,且3个分支的棒束孢物种为快速同时形成,而后大多数类群表现遗传稳定。同时发现,与Isaria Clade A较近一支有粉被玛利亚霉Mariannaea pruinosa（C. pruinosa无性型）和蛹草蚧霉Lecanicillium militaris（C. militaris无性型）;与粉棒束孢距离最近一支有Akanthomyces aculeatus（C. tuberculata无性型）和L. attenuatum（C. confragosa无性型）,是两个不同的属征分类群,且相互间遗传距离较近。根据棒束孢属及其近缘种属形态特征的复杂性推测,棒束孢属在快速物种形成中,其近缘类群存在一定程度的丢失和选择性演化。     

Geminicoccus roseus gen. nov., sp. nov., an aerobic phototrophic Alphaproteobacterium isolated from a marine aquaculture biofilter

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, diplococcoid bacterium (strain D2-3^T) was isolated from the biofilter of a recirculating marine aquaculture system. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of D2-3^T indicated that the new organism occupied a novel lineage within the -1 subclass of Proteobacteria and was related to the genera Rhodothalassium, Azospirillum, Craurococcus, Acidiphilium, and Tistrella. The highest sequence similarity (90.8%) of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of D2-3^T was to that of Candidatus “Alysiosphaera europaea”. D2-3^T was mesophilic, heterotrophic, required sea salt, and had a pH optimum of 8.0. Growth in the presence of light resulted in the formation of pink colonies, a 25% increased cell yield, and a slightly increased growth rate. D2-3^T contained carotenoids and low amounts of bacteriochlorophyll a. Membranes of D2-3^T contained b-type cytochromes. The G+C content of the DNA was 60.3±0.1 mol%. Phylogenetic, morphological, physiological, and biochemical analyses demonstrated that D2-3^T represented a new aerobic phototrophic genus, for which the name Geminicoccus roseus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed for the type species (D2-3^T=DSM 18922^T=ATCC BAA-1445^T).     

Structural characterization of a galactomannan from the cyanolichen Leptogium azureum

A galactomannan was isolated from the cyanolichen Leptogium azureum via successive alkaline extraction and precipitation with Fehling solution. The structure of the polysaccharide was investigated using NMR spectroscopy, methylation analysis, Smith degradation, and HPSEC-MALLS. As galactomannans from other lichens species, the polymer obtained presents a (1→6)-linked main chain of -mannopyranose, substituted preferentially at O-2 by -Manp or β-Galp non-reducing ends. As observed in previous investigations, the C-1 region of the ¹³C-NMR of these heteropolysaccharides are typical of some lichens species, and can be used as fingerprints in chemotaxonomy. However, in despite of the general structure in common, the substitution level of this structure and their content of mannose is higher than of the others galactomannans obtained of lichenized fungi contained the green alga of the genus Trebouxia.     

广东韩江潮州江段鱼类多样性及季节变化

为了解韩江潮州江段鱼类生物多样性及季节变化, 2012年5月至2013年4月, 采用定置刺网和地笼网对韩江潮州江段5个样点开展了渔获物调查。共采集鱼类53种, 隶属8目19科48属, 以鲤形目和鲈形目为主, 分别为27种和11种, 占总种数的50.9%和20.8%; 其中13种为该水域新记录种; 广东鲂(Megalobrama terminalis)、福建小鳔鮈(Microphysogobio fukiensis)、赤眼鳟(Squaliobarbus curriculus)和鲮(Cirrhinus molitorella)为全年优势种。Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H')、Pielou均匀度指数(E)和Margalef种类丰富度指数(D)均表现出夏季最高, 其后依次是秋季、冬季、春季; Simpson指数(D')秋季最高, 其后是夏季、冬季、春季; Bray-Curtis尾数/种类相似性系数聚类分析和非度量多维标度分析在38.23%的水平上将12个月分为2个群聚: I包括夏、秋季节6个月, II包括春、冬季节6个月, 这与多样性指数H'、E、D和D'的变化趋势一致, 表明韩江潮州江段鱼类资源的季节变化显著, 水温和流量是影响该江段鱼类资源的主要环境因子。10个主要物种被聚合为两大类群, 分别为季节性出现的小型鱼类和常见种。我们认为保护栖息环境、建立适宜的禁渔制度是保护该江段鱼类资源的关键措施。     

Chromosome numbers of miscellaneous Malagasy Acanthaceae

Meiotic chromosome numbers are reported for 12 species in eight genera of Acanthaceae from Madagascar. Chromosome numbers of 11 species are reported for the first time. Counts inMendoncia (n=19) andNeuracanthus (n=20) are the first for these genera. A new chromosome number (n=30) is reported inJusticia. Systematic implications of the chromosome counts are addressed and basic chromosome numbers for these eight genera of Malagasy Acanthaceae are discussed.     

基于层次分析法的67种爵床科植物观赏价值综合评价

基于中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园收集保存的爵床科植物资源，运用层次分析法构建评价体系，对67种具有园林应用潜力的爵床科植物进行观赏价值综合评价。结果表明，在一级指标中，花观赏性所占权重最大，表示花观赏性在爵床科植物观赏价值综合评价中是最重要的方面；在二级指标中，花(序)量、花(序)色鲜艳度和盛花期时长对爵床科植物观赏价值的影响权重均超过10%，对评价结果有较大影响，而花(序)大小、花后观赏性和叶片盖度对爵床科植物观赏价值的影响权重均低于5%，对评价结果影响较小。依据指标权重和评分标准，对67种爵床科植物的观赏价值进行综合评分并划分等级，赤苞花(Megaskepasma erythrochlamys)、宽叶十万错(Asystasia gangetica)、鸟尾花(Crossandra infundibuliformis)、翠芦莉(Ruellia simplex)、翼叶山牵牛(Thunbergia alata)、金苞花(Pachystachys lutea)、黄花老鸦嘴(Thunbergia mysorensis)、白苞爵床(Justicia betonica)、叉花草(Strobilanthes hamiltoniana)、绯红珊瑚花(Pachystachys coccinea)、白金羽花(Schaueria calytricha)、山牵牛(Thunbergia grandiflora)等12种植物的观赏价值较高，综合评价等级为Ⅰ级，具有较好的园林应用前景。     

Fluorinated carbohydrates. IV. 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-D-galactose

An analytical study has been made of gum specimens from Acacia deanei, A. filicifolia (three specimens), A. leucoclada, A. parramattensis (two specimens), A. parvipinnula, A. silvestris, A. terminalis, and A. trachyphloia, which are species belonging to Series II ({Botryocephalae}) in Bentham's classification of the genus. The three specimens from A. filicifolia are all closely similar, but the specimens from A. parramattensis differ appreciably in parameters other than their sugar ratios. Several of the analytical values reported increase considerably the range of values established so far for Acacia gum exudates. The Botryocephalae species give gum exudates of at least 2 chemically distinct types. Group A species (A. deanei, A. parramattensis, A. parvipinnula, and {A. trachyphloia}) have low galactose-arabinose ratios (<2:1) but have strongly negative rotations, high intrinsic viscosities and molecular weights, and relatively high nitrogen, methoxyl, uronic anhydride, and rhamnose contents. Group B species (A. filicifolia, A. leucoclada, and A. terminalis) have high galactose-arabinose ratios (> ) but low negative or positive rotations, low intrinsic viscosities and molecular weights, and relatively low nitrogen, methoxyl, uronic anhydride, and rhamnose contents.     

Phytoalexin induction and its chemosystematic significance in the genus Trigonella

Using the drop-diffusate technique, a number of isoflavonoid phytoalexins have been obtained from the excised, fungus-inoculated leaflets of 41 species belonging to the legume genus Trigonella. Leaf diffusates variously contained pterocarpan (medicarpin and maackiain) and isoflavan (vestitol and sativan) derivatives previously associated with genera closely allied to Trigonella. In diffusates from T. calliceras, medicarpin was accompanied by a phytoalexin (designated TC-1) provisionally identified as a new hydroxylated pterocarpan. Most of the Trigonella species were also examined for their ability to release coumarin upon tissue maceration. The combined phytoalexin/coumarin data suggest that three major intrageneric chemical divisions occur in Trigonella; two of these apparently link the genus to Medicado/Factorovskya and Melilotus respectively, whilst the third provides some evidence for a connection with Trifolium. The taxonomic aspects of these findings are discussed in the light of earlier morphological studies which provided evidence for a distinct floral dichotomy amongst Trigonella species.     

Polyhydroxyalkaloids in the Aroid Tribes Nephthytideae and Aglaonemateae: Phytochemical Support for an Intertribal relationship

Using living and herbarium material, a survey of polyhydroxyalkaloids in species of 52 genera of Araceae revealed the presence of 2,5-dihydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidine (DMDP) and -homonojirimycin (HNJ) in leaves of Nephthytis Schott, Anchomanes Schott, Pseudohydrosme Engl. (tribe Nephthytideae), Aglaonema Schott and Aglaodorum Engl. (tribe Aglaonemateae). Levels were high in living plants, ranging from 0.1 to 1% dry weight DMDP and 0.04 to 0.6% HNJ. Isomers of HNJ, such as -3,4-di-epi-homonojirimycin, were also present in the five genera. Seven of the eight Nephthytis species examined also contained deoxymannojirimycin at levels, in fresh material, of 0.1–0.2% dry weight. Lower levels of DMDP (mean 0.009%) and HNJ (mean 0.002%) were detected in species of Amorphophallus Blume & Decne and Pseudodracontium N.E. Br. (tribe Thomsonieae). The similarity in polyhydroxyalkaloid chemistry between Nephthytideae and Aglaonemateae concurs with recently published chloroplast restriction site data in suggesting a relationship between these tribes.     

黄土高原石松类和蕨类植物的多样性与地理分布

物种编目是了解生物多样性的基础。本文收集已出版的专著和文献, 查阅标本馆的馆藏标本信息, 在此基础上, 对黄土高原的石松类和蕨类植物的多样性和地理分布数据进行统计和分析。科属排列采用Flora of China的分类系统, 科属界定依据分子系统学的最新研究成果。结果表明, 黄土高原共有石松类和蕨类植物18科42属165种2亚种5变种, 其中中国特有种35种, 占总种数的20.35%。种类数量最多的5个科依次为凤尾蕨科(29种, 含种下单位, 下同)、鳞毛蕨科(28种)、水龙骨科(19种)、蹄盖蕨科(16种)和铁角蕨科(16种); 种类数量最多的6个属依次为铁角蕨属(Asplenium, 16种)、鳞毛蕨属(Dryopteris, 15种)、耳蕨属(Polystichum, 12种)、岩蕨属(Woodsia, 11种)、卷柏属(Selaginella, 10种)和瓦韦属(Lepisorus, 10种)。黄土高原的石松类和蕨类植物中, 无珍稀濒危保护植物, 无中国特有属。依据生态类型可划分为4类, 即土生植物(112种)、石生植物(75种)、附生植物(18种)、水生植物(3种), 该区域石松类和蕨类植物土生或石生的种类占总种数的89.53%。在地理分布上, 黄土高原石松类和蕨类处于我国现生类群分布的边缘区域, 这与我国的石松类和蕨类分布规律基本一致。     

Contents of 1,4-benzoxazin-3-ones and 2-benzoxazolinone from Stenandrium dulce (Nees)

Secondary metabolites, DIBOA, HBOA, 7-OH-HBOA and BOA, were isolated and quantified from S. dulce (Nees), a native species in Chile belonging to the Acanthaceae family. The highest DIBOA and HBOA contents were determined in leaves (9.25 mmol kg(-1) fr. wt) and root (6.81 mmol kg(-1) fr. wt), respectively. Aglycones, 7-OH-HBOA and HBOA, were isolated together from root extracts of Acanthaceae species. Both, HBOA and 7-OH-HBOA should be direct precursors in the biosynthesis of DIBOA and DIMBOA, respectively.     

Water-soluble polysaccharides of some brown algae of the Russian Far-East. Structure and biological action of low-molecular mass polyuronans

The contents and structural characteristics of water-soluble polysaccharides such as polyuronans, fucoidans and laminarans dependent on species, age of algae and the year of collection were studied for four species of brown algae—Alaria fistulosa, A. marginata, Fucus evanescens and Laminaria cichorioides, widespread on the Russian Far-East. The mature L. cichorioides was shown to be the richest source of both laminarans and fucoidans, F. evanescens—fucoidans. However, the Alaria species and young age algae F. evanescens contained practically polyuronans only. Alaria marginata and A. fistulosa were revealed to have a little of fucoidan and negligible quantity of laminaran (less than 1%). Contents of water-soluble polyuronans in A. fistulosa were approximately 2 times more, than in A. marginata. Water-soluble polyuronans of these seaweeds are represented by polymannuronans (Mm about 40 kDa). It was shown, that the young age algae F. evanescens contains the water-soluble low-molecular mass mannuronans along with the high-molecular mass laminarans.

Stimulating action of polyuronans on the sea urchin developing embryos was revealed.     

多基因联合揭示海南鲌的遗传结构与遗传多样性

海南鲌(Culter recurviceps)是我国华南地区重要经济鱼类, 由于受到近些年水利开发、过度捕捞、环境污染等诸多因素的影响, 其资源量快速下降, 亟需得到更多的关注和保护。为保护和合理开发海南鲌种质资源, 本研究采集了华南地区23个地理群体207尾海南鲌样本, 测定了2个线粒体基因(Cytb和ND2)并从Barcode of Life Data System数据库获得相对应线粒体COI基因, 结合多种分析方法(系统发育分析、分化时间估算、单倍型网状图、群体遗传分析和Mantel检验)对海南鲌的遗传结构和遗传多样性展开研究。系统发育分析和单倍型网状图表明华南地区海南鲌群体被分成3个谱系(I、II和III), 其中谱系I和III由珠江的群体组成, 谱系II由海南岛的群体组成。分化时间估算发现3个谱系之间的分化时间介于0.028-0.251 Ma之间, 表明华南地区更新世气候变化可能是造成海南鲌谱系分化的重要原因。群体遗传分析发现海南鲌群体之间存在极显著的遗传分化(F_ST = 0.511, P < 0.001), 并且符合距离隔离模式(R = 0.348, P = 0.0010)。群体动态历史分析表明, 海南鲌群体可能在0.010-0.025 Ma经历了群体扩张, 表明更新世的气候波动也影响了海南鲌的群体大小和分布。综上所述, 海南鲌群体由3个谱系组成, 更新世气候变化是导致3个谱系分化和影响海南鲌群体动态历史的重要因素。此外, 海南鲌群体之间的遗传分化也可能受到了空间距离的影响。     

Chemical composition of essential oils of seven species of Eugenia from Monteverde, Costa Rica

The leaf essential oils of seven species of Eugenia from Monteverde, Costa Rica (Eugenia austin-smithii, Eugenia cartagensis, Eugenia haberi, Eugenia monteverdensis, Eugenia zuchowskiae, Eugenia sp. A aff. haberi, and Eugenia sp. B aff. oerstediana) have been obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC–MS. The seven species were compared to determine the similarities and differences among their volatile chemical compositions. The major component in each of the seven species was as follows: E. austin-smithii and E. cartagensis was trans-2-hexenal, E. haberi and E. zuchowskiae was -pinene, E. monteverdensis was linalool, Eugenia sp. A was zingiberene, and Eugenia sp. B was 1,8-cineole. The following six components were present in all seven species: -copaene, β-caryophyllene, -humulene, δ-cadinene, trans-nerolidol, and torreyol. The complex array and differing abundances of these compounds among the Eugenia species studied suggest that they may provide useful characters in understanding the phylogenetic relationships among closely related species.     

Isolation of 4-acetyl-benzoxazolin-2-one (4-ABOA) and diferuloylputrescine from an extract of gibberella ear rot-resistant corn that blocks mycotoxin biosynthesis, and the insect toxicity of 4-ABOA and related compounds

Bioassay-directed fractionation of an extract of a gibberella ear rot-resistant corn hybrid resulted in the isolation of a fraction that inhibited mycotoxin production, but not growth, of Fusarium culmorum. The fraction contained diferuloylputrescine and a new allelochemical 4-acetyl-benzoxazolin-2-one (4-ABOA). This report describes the isolation of the bioactive fraction and tests of the effect of 4-ABOA on 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol (3ADON) and aflatoxin production. In addition, data are reported on the effects of 4-ABOA and related compounds on a number of insect species and some preliminary studies on the mechanism of insect toxicity. The effect of 4-ABOA on F. culmorum and Apergillus flavus was similar. Production of toxin was reduced without a concomitant reduction of growth. A 50% inhibition of 3ADON production occurred at ca. 4 μM and 0.12 mM for alfatoxin. 4-ABOA was slightly toxic to Spodoptera frugiperda.     

Sulfate Requirement for the Growth of U(VI)-Reducing Bacteria in an Ethanol-Fed Enrichment

A field experiment at the Oak Ridge Field Research Center has demonstrated the in situ biostimulation of U(VI) reduction with ethanol amendment, but little is known about the stimulated metabolic pathways or composition of the bacterial community mediating the reduction. This work characterized the metabolism and community structure of a sulfate-reducing enrichment developed from sediment from the field site to help address this knowledge gap. Structure was investigated by clone library construction and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of 16S rDNA. The enrichment used ethanol concomitantly with sulfate, producing acetate. Hydrogen accumulated intermittently. The clone library contained sequences related to Clostridia, Desulfovibrio, Bacteroides, and Synergistes species. The enrichment reduced U(VI), and the reduction rate was 0.055 L/mg volatile suspended solids (VSS)/day. The enrichment's T-RFLP profile was comprised largely of Desulfovibrio-like fragments, and Desulfovibrio species are known to reduce sulfate and U(VI). A second line of enrichments, inoculated from the sulfate-amended enrichment, was maintained without sulfate. After four transfers of the sulfate-free culture, it was found unable to reduce U(VI). This culture's T-RFLP profile was largely comprised of Clostridia-like fragments, and Clostridia ferment ethanol to acetate. The results indicate a sulfate requirement for the growth of U(VI)-reducing organisms in this community.