Création du genre Californiella N.gen. (Rhodophycophyta) et révision du genre DasyporellaStolley, 1893 (Dasycladales)

The genus Dasyporella was created by Stolley in 1893. Later, two different species were assigned to this genus under the same specific name Dasyporella norvegica. One of them was misinterpreted by Johnson & Konishi (1959) which introduced a confusion in the genus definition. The revision of the genus Dasyporella was therefore necessary and the study of new specimens belonging to the misinterpreted species have led to the creation of a new genus: Californiella. This new genus clarifies the concept of Dasyporella with the reinstatement of its original definition.     

Phylogenetic relationships of the rare Korean monotypic endemic genus Pentactina Nakai in the tribe Spiraeeae (Rosaceae) based on molecular data

The phylogenetic position of Pentactina Nakai, one of only six endemic genera in the Korean peninsula, has been elusive and difficult to determine due to inaccessibility of plant materials. In this paper, we were able to obtain material from the one and only living collection of Pentactina outside of its native range in North Korea and determined its phylogenetic relationship relative to the other genera within the tribe Spiraeeae (Rosaceae). This paper presents the first molecular phylogeny of the genus Pentactina using both nuclear ribosomal ITS regions as well as chloroplast DNA trnL-trnF intergenic spacers to conduct phylogenetic analyses (maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood) of the Spiraeeae. The ITS and combined data set trees suggest that Pentactina shares its most recent common ancestor with Petrophyton, a small western North American genus, while cpDNA suggests close relationships to Kelseya, Sibiraea, and Petrophyton. Therefore, based on the present molecular sequence data, we suggest that the rare Korean monotypic endemic genus Pentactina possibly has a close relationship with the small western North American genus Petrophyton, although receiving a weak support. In addition, our current study suggests that Pentactina is not part of the large genus Spiraea as previously hypothesized by Hutchinson. Pentactina possess combinations of several morphological features within the Spiraeeae such as an erect shrub habit, simple serrate leaves, and raceme inflorescences, and recognition as a distinct endemic genus in Korea is warranted.     

Sumatrella chelonica gen. n., sp. n., a new remarkable genus and species from Indonesia,Sumatra (Acari,Uropodina, Oplitidae)

A new genus Sumatrella gen. n. is described and illustrated based on the new species Sumatrella chelonica sp. n. collected in Sumatra, Indonesia. The new genus belongs to the family Oplitidae based on its hypertrichous internal malae and the absence of strongly sclerotized structures on the dorsal shield. The new genus is closely related to the genus Chelonuropoda Sellnick, 1954 but the transverse furrow on ventral idiosoma close to coxae IV and the strongly sclerotized C-shaped dorsal line are missing in the new genus. These characters can be found in species of Chelonuropoda.     

Current biotechnological applications of the genus Amycolatopsis

Recently there has been increasing interest in possible biotechnological applications of the bacterial genus Amycolatopsis. This genus originally attracted attention for its antibiotic producing capabilities; although it is actually a multifaceted genus and a more diverse range of studies involving biotechnological processes have now been undertaken. Several works have demonstrated that the versatility shown by these bacteria is valuable in industrial applications. Here, we provide a condensed overview of the most important biotechnological applications such as bioremediation, biodegradation and bioconversion, as well as aspects that need to be explored further in order to gain a fuller insight into this genus, including its possible potential in the production of biofuel. Antibiotic production is not discussed since this is well covered by the latest edition of Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. To our knowledge this is the first report highlighting the versatility and biotechnological potential of the genus Amycolatopsis.     

Broadening the definition of the genus Thalassaphorura Bagnall, 1949 (Collembola,Onychiuridae) with a new aberrant species from China

A new species belonging to the tribe Thalassaphorurini, Thalassaphorura problematica sp. n., is described from Northeast China. The new species is closest to the large genus Thalassaphorura by its simple vesicles in PAO and its furcal rudiment, but it does not fit the definition of the genus by the absence of chaeta d0 on head, the number of chaetae in the distal whorl of tibiotarsi and the labium type. We discuss the relative weakness of these last characters at generic level, which lead us to assign the new species to Thalassaphorura instead of erecting a new genus. The diagnosis of Thalassaphorura is broadened accordingly.     

Genus Kadsura,a good source with considerable characteristic chemical constituents and potential bioactivities

In China, the plants of genus Kadsura had been used as the folk medicines for a long time and showed good effect of activating blood and dissolving stasis, promoting qi circulation to relieve pain, dispelling wind and eliminating dampness. The bioactivities of genus Kadsura were attributed to the existence of its characteristic chemical constituents. This review systematically summarized the traditional efficacy and medicinal application of genus Kadsura in China, chemical constituents and bioactivities of the plants of genus Kadsura. And, lignans and triterpenoids were the main bioactive constituents, which exhibited good anti-HIV, anti-tumor, anti-hepatitis, anti-oxidant, anti-platelet aggregation activities and neuroprotective effect etc. Moreover, some structure–activity relationships mining would greatly enrich the opportunity of finding new and promising lead compounds and promote the reasonable development and utilization of the plants of genus Kadsura.     

Loreleiella nov. gen., nouvel éodévonariidé(Chonetacea,Brachiopoda) du Dévonien

The detailed morphological analysis of the dorsal interior of Chonetes arcuatus Hall, 1857, typespecies of the genus Eodevonaria (North American Lower Devonian), compared with those of the European species classically assigned to this genus, allows the erection of a new genus for the European eodevonariids. The phylogenetic relations of Loreleiella nov. gen. and its paleobiogeographic implication are discussed.     

Description of the type-series of Palaeocryptonyx donnezani Depéret, 1892 (Aves: Phasianidae) with the selection of a lectotype

We have re-examined the original type-series of Palaeocryptonyx donnezani Depéret, 1892 housed in the Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1 (France), and have selected a lectotype and paralectotypes. P. donnezani is the type species of the extinct genus Palaeocryptonyx, known from six species from different European Neogene and Pleistocene fossil localities. The species have been compared with different medium-sized Phasianidae species on the basis of our own study and data from the literature. The systematic position of P. donnezani has been questioned, because it has been misplaced in the extant genera Alectoris and Coturnix, but our analysis confirms its validity and its attribution to a separate genus; hence we also confirm the validity of the genus Palaeocryptonyx.     

Galeottiella hintoniorum,a new epiphytic species of Spiranthinae (Orchidaceae) from Nuevo León,Mexico

A new species of Spiranthinae from Mexico,Galeottiella hintoniorum, is described and illustrated. It is placed in the genusGaleottiella because of its lip and column structure and its herbaceous, cauline bracts and becauseGaleottiella is the oldest genus in the subtribe that can accommodate it. This new species is distinguished from other members of the genus by its epiphytic habit, small stature, and few-flowered inflorescences.     

The Caloscyphaceae (Pezizomycetes, Ascomycota), with a new genus

The family Caloscyphaceae with a single genus, Caloscypha, has been considered to include a single species, C. fulgens. Study of an overlooked second species, Caloscypha incarnata from North Africa and Italy, using SSU, LSU rDNA, and morphology allows placement of this species in a new genus, Kallistoskypha, in the Caloscyphaceae. This fungus is found in association with Eucalyptus species. The species was recently redescribed from Spain under the name Marcelleina parvispora. Caloscypha fulgens, the type species of the genus Caloscypha, shows sequence variation from across its range.     

Molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of the Anatolian lizard Apathya (Squamata,Lacertidae)

Apathya is a lacertid genus occurring mainly in south-east Turkey and its adjacent regions (part of Iran and Iraq). So far two morphological species have been attributed to the genus; A. cappadocica (with five subspecies, A. c. cappadocica, A. c. muhtari, A. c. schmidtlerorum, A. c. urmiana and A. c. wolteri) and A. yassujica. The first species occupies most of the genus’ distribution range, while A. yassujica is endemic of the Zagros Mountains. Here, we explored Apathya’s taxonomy and investigated the evolutionary history of the species by employing phylogenetic and phylogeographic approaches and using both mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear markers. The phylogenetic relationships and the genetic distances retrieved, revealed that Apathya is a highly variable genus, which parallels its high morphological variation. Such levels of morphological and genetic differentiation often exceed those between species of other Lacertini genera that are already treated as full species, suggesting the necessity for a taxonomic revision of Apathya. The phylogeographical scenario emerging from the genetic data suggests that the present distribution of the genus was determined by a combination of dispersal and vicariance events between Anatolia and Southwest Asia dating back to the Miocene and continuing up to the Pleistocene. Key geological events for the understanding of the phylogeography of the genus are the movement of the Arabian plate that led to the configuration of Middle East (orogenesis of the mountain ranges of Turkey and Iran) and the formation of Anatolian Diagonal.     

New foliicolous lichens from New Zealand 3

Podotara gen. nov. (incertae sedis) is described. It is based on the foliicolous taxonP. pilophoriformis sp.nov., which is described and illustrated. Characteristic of the new genus and species are globose and stipitate apothecia and 3-septate, hyaline, thin-walled ascospores with annular thickening of the septa.Scoliciosporum lividum sp. nov. (Scoliciosporaceae) differs from all species of its genus known to date by its leprose grey thallus, its livid, globose, dull apothecia, and its 3-septate ascosoores spirally contorted in the ascus.     

Sur la morphologie externe et interne de Rotorboides granulosa (Heron-Allen & Earland) emendation du genre Rotorboides Sellier de Civrieux, 1977 (Foraminiferida)

Discorbis valvulata granulosa HERON-ALLEN and EARLAND, which has been found by the present authorsin the recent deposits of Watamu beach (Kenya), is the type-species of the genus RotorboidesSELLIER de CIVRIEUX, 1977. The study of this species has permitted to describe in detail its outer and inner morphology, to discuss its previous assignments (Discorbis, Rotorbinella) and to emend the genus Rotorboides.     

Updated hypothesis on the evolution of oligotrichid ciliates (Ciliophora, Spirotricha, Oligotrichida) based on somatic ciliary patterns and ontogenetic data

The two recently established genera ApostrombidiumXu et al., 2009 and VaristrombidiumXu et al., 2009 and the analysis of ontogenetic data in Strombidium constrictum, S. montagnesi, S. wilberti, Omegastrombidium elegans, and Paratontonia gracillima necessitated a revision of the hypothesis about the somatic ciliary pattern evolution in oligotrichid ciliates. As a consequence, the species-rich genus Strombidium was split, establishing two genera for species with a horizontal girdle kinety posterior to the oral primordium: Opisthostrombidium nov. gen. with the extrusome attachment sites along the anterior margin of the girdle kinety and posterior to the oral primordium and Foissneridium nov. gen. with the extrusome attachment sites distinctly apart from the girdle kinety and anterior to the oral primordium. The ontogenetic data revealed that the Ω-shaped girdle kinety pattern evolved convergently from the Pseudotontonia pattern with its horizontal girdle kinety in the tailed genus Paratontonia and from the Novistrombidium pattern with its dextrally spiralled girdle kinety in the tailless genus Omegastrombidium. The somatic ciliary pattern of the latter genus probably gave rise to the patterns of Apostrombidium and Varistrombidium.     

On the Identity of the Genus Crassolabium (Dorylaimida: Qudsianematidae)

The identity and taxonomy of the genus Crassolabium are discussed based on examination of material of C. australe, its type species and its comparison with Iberian species of close genera. The existence of refractive masses (thickenings) at the inner core of lateral lips, the most distinctive diagnostic feature of Crassolabium, is considered to be of minor taxonomical significance because of its interspecific and even intraspecific variability. It is concluded that Crassolabium and Thonus are identical, and a reversal of precedence among both genera is suggested. Crassolabium australe is re-described, and some comments are provided on C. robustum, the second species in the genus.     

Krogia coralloides,a new lichen genus and species from Mauritius

Abstract:The new corticolous lichen genus Krogia and species K. coralloides are described from humid forest in Mauritius. The genus shows affinities with Phyllopsora, but differs in characters of the ascus, ascospores, and thallus anatomy. The ascal characters make its inclusion in the Bacidiaceae orPhyllopsoraceae problematic. The lichen contains boninic acid and an apparently related compound.     

A new species and a new combination of the Mesozoic genus Podocarpophyllum Gomolitzky (Coniferales)

Podocarpophyllum Gomolitzky is studied in detail from the type locality Angren (Uzbekistan, Middle Jurassic). Emended diagnoses of the genus and its type species P. singulare Gomolitzky are provided. For the first time, members of the genus are reported from the Lower Jurassic of the Mangyshlak Peninsula (western Kazakhstan), where P. kazachstanicum sp. nov. is described, and from the Middle Jurassic of the eastern Ural Mountains, where P. mesozoicum (Kiritchkova) comb. nov. is established. The epidermal morphology of the genus Podocarpophyllum is compared with that of fossil and modern members of the Podocarpaceae.