Novel diversity within Roseofilum (Desertifilaceae,Cyanobacteria) from marine benthic mats with description of four new species

Benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs) are natural phenomena in marine environments. Reports of BCMs occurring across coastal marine environments have increased, partly driven by nutrient loading and climate change; thus, there is a need to understand the diversity involved in the proliferations and potential toxicity of the BCMs. Furthermore, marine cyanobacterial mats are observed growing on and affecting the health of corals with one specific cyanobacterial genus, Roseofilum, dominating the microbial mats associated with black band disease (BBD), a destructive polymicrobial disease that affects corals. To explore the diversity of Roseofilum, cyanobacterial mats from various marine habitats were sampled, and individual isolates were identified based on morphology, 16S rRNA gene phylogenies, 16S–23S ITS rRNA region sequence dissimilarities, and phylogenomics. Four novel species of Roseofilum were isolated from benthic marine mats, three from the coasts of Florida, United States (R. capinflatum sp. nov., R. casamattae sp. nov., and R. acuticapitatum sp. nov.) and one from the coast of France (R. halophilum sp. nov.). Our analyses revealed that Roseofilum associated with coral BBD and those not associated with corals but rather from coastal benthic mats are systematically distinct based on both phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and LC–MS data indicated that microcystin production was found in one of the four species.     

Snipe flies (Diptera: Rhagionidae) from the Daohugou Formation (Jurassic), Inner Mongolia,and the systematic position of related records in China

Abstract: Four new species referred to three new genera and one known genus of fossil snipe flies (Family Rhagionidae) from the Daohugou Formation of Chifeng City in Inner Mongolia, north‐eastern China, are described as Daohugorhagio elongatus gen. et sp. nov., Parachrysopilus jurassicus gen. et sp. nov., Sinorhagio sinuatus sp. nov. and Trichorhagio gregarius gen. et sp. nov. These taxa represent only a fraction of the rhagionid assemblage in the Daohugou biota. They contribute towards the high diversity and abundance of snipe flies during the latest Middle Jurassic – earliest Late Jurassic. The diagnosis of Sinorhagio K. Zhang, Yang and Ren, 2006 is revised based on the new results. Many genera and species from the Lower Cretaceous of China have been assigned to Rhagionidae. Most of these do not actually belong to this family: specifically Mesorhagiophryne incerta Hong and Wang, 1990, M. robusta Hong and Wang, 1990, Mesostratiomyia laiyangensis Hong and Wang, 1990, Stratiomyopsis robusta Hong and Wang, 1990, Longhuaia orientalis Hong, Wang and Sun, 1992, Basilorhagio venusius Ren, 1995. Pauromyia oresbia Ren, 1998 is transferred to an archisargid genus as Sharasargus oresbius (Ren, 1998) comb. nov.     

A polyphasic approach to the study of the genus Nitzschia (Bacillariophyta): three new planktonic species from the Adriatic Sea

The paraphyletic diatom genus Nitzschia comprises over 1000 morphologically distinct pennate taxa, known from the benthos and plankton of freshwater, brackish, and marine environments. The principal diagnostic characters for delimitation of Nitzschia species include valve shape, the position and structure of the raphe, presence/absence and shape of the proximal raphe endings and terminal raphe fissures, areola structure, and specific morphometric features such as cell size, and stria and fibula density. In this study, we isolated 12 diatom strains into culture from samples collected at the surface or greater depths of the southeastern Adriatic Sea. Morphological analyses included LM, SEM, and TEM observations, which, along with specific morphometric features, allowed us to distinguish three new Nitzschia species. These findings were congruent with the results of phylogenetic analyses performed on nuclear‐encoded SSU (18S) rDNA and chloroplast‐encoded rbcL and psbC genes. One of the new species (Nitzschia dalmatica sp. nov.) formed a lineage within a clade of Bacillariaceae containing members of the Nitzschia sect. Dubiae, which was sister to Psammodictyon. A second lineage was part of a novel clade that is significantly distinct from other Nitzschia species sequenced so far and includes Nitzschia adhaerens sp. nov. and N. cf. adhaerens. A further new species was found, Nitzschia inordinata sp. nov., which appeared as the sister group to the N. adhaerens clade and the conopeoid Nitzschia species in our phylogenetic trees. Our findings contribute to the overall diversity of genus Nitzschia, especially in identifying some deep branches within the Bacillariaceae, and highlight under‐scoring of this genus in marine plankton.     

New species of sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Epuraeinae,Cybocephalinae) from the Baltic amber

A new genus, Baltoraea gen. nov., two new species of this genus, B. insignis sp. nov. and B. simillima sp. nov., and three other new species, Cybocephalus (Cybocephalus) balticus sp. nov., C. (C.) electricus sp. nov. and C. (C.) kerneggeri sp. nov. are described from the Late Eocene Baltic amber. The systematic position of the genus Baltoraea and presumable bionomics of the new sap beetles are discussed.     

Molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy of the genus Rhodymenia (Rhodymeniaceae,Rhodymeniales) from Australia reveals overlooked species diversity

A previously published DNA barcode survey of red macroalgae in Australia revealed significant cryptic and overlooked diversity for the genus Rhodymenia with recognition of R. novahollandica, R. prolificans, R. stenoglossa, R. wilsonis and an additional four uncharacterized genetic species groups. Since that study, increased sampling effort in Australia has warranted reassessment and reinvestigation of the number of genetic species groups attributed to Rhodymenia and their respective taxonomic affiliations. Using molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy employing the DNA barcode (COI-5P), the present study resolved 188 Australian specimens in 12 genetic species groups assignable to the genus Rhodymenia. Four of these groups were attributed to the previously recognized species (above), whereas some collections from Lord Howe Island were attributed to the New Zealand species R. novazelandica, expanding its biogeographic range. The following seven genetic groups were inconsistent with existing species of Rhodymenia and established as novel taxa: R. compressa sp. nov., R. contortuplicata sp. nov., R. gladiata sp. nov., R. insularis sp. nov., R. lociperonica sp. nov., R. norfolkensis sp. nov. and R. womersleyi sp. nov. Although morphological and biogeographic features were adequate for distinguishing some species of Rhodymenia from Australia, DNA sequencing in combination with morphology and biogeography provided the most reliable means of identification.     

Cold-adapted yeasts from Antarctica and the Italian Alps—description of three novel species: Mrakia robertii sp. nov., Mrakia blollopis sp. nov. and Mrakiella niccombsii sp. nov.

Worldwide glaciers are annually retreating due to global overheating and this phenomenon determines the potential lost of microbial diversity represented by psychrophilic microbial population sharing these peculiar habitats. In this context, yeast strains, all unable to grow above 20°C, consisting of 42 strains from Antarctic soil and 14 strains isolated from Alpine Glacier, were isolated and grouped together based on similar morphological and physiological characteristics. Sequences of the D1/D2 and ITS regions of the ribosomal DNA confirmed the previous analyses and demonstrated that the strains belong to unknown species. Three new species are proposed: Mrakia robertii sp. nov. (type strain CBS 8912), Mrakia blollopis sp. nov. (type strain CBS 8921) and a related anamorphic species Mrakiella niccombsii sp. nov. (type strain CBS 8917). Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region revealed that the new proposed species were closely related to each other within the Mrakia clade in the order Cystofilobasidiales, class Tremellomycetes. The Mrakia clade now contains 8 sub-clades. Teliospores were observed in all strains except CBS 8918 and for the Mrakiella niccombsii strains.     

A new genus of Elateriform beetles (Coleoptera,Polyphaga) from the Jurassic of Daohugou,China

A new coleopteran genus, Parelateriformius, gen. nov., comprising the species P. communis, sp. nov., P. villosus, sp. nov., P. capitifossus, sp. nov., and P. mirabdominis, sp. nov., is described from Daohugou deposits, Inner Mongolia, China, and is assigned to the infraorder Elateriformia. The systematic position of the new genus within the suborder Polyphaga is discussed.     

Eight new species of the genus Micromonospora, Micromonospora citrea sp. nov., Micromonospora echinaurantiaca sp. nov., Micromonospora echinofusca sp. nov. Micromonospora fulviviridis sp. nov., Micromonospora inyonensis sp. nov., Micromonospora peucetia sp. nov., Micromonospora sagamiensis sp. nov., and Micromonospora viridifaciens sp. nov

A previous phylogenetic study on type strains of the genus Micromonospora and Micromonospora species bearing non-validly published names has pointed towards the species status of several of latter strains. Subsequent studies on morphological, cultural, chemotaxonomic, metabolic, and genomic properties, and on whole cell mass spectrometric analyses by matrix adsorbed laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) confirmed the species status, leading to the proposal of eight new Micromonospora species: Micromonospora citrea sp. nov., type strain DSM 43903T, Micromonospora echinaurantiaca sp. nov., type strain DSM 43904T, Micromonospora echinofusca sp. nov., type strain DSM 43913T, Micromonospora fulviviridis sp. nov., type strain DSM 43906T, Micromonospora inyonensis sp. nov., type strain DSM 46123T, Micromonospora peucetia sp. nov., type strain DSM 43363T, Micromonospora sagamiensis sp. nov., type strain DSM 43912T and Micromonospora viridifaciens sp. nov., type strain DSM 43909T.     

Genome biology of a novel lineage of planctomycetes widespread in anoxic aquatic environments

Anaerobic strains affiliated with a novel order‐level lineage of the Phycisphaerae class were retrieved from the suboxic zone of a hypersaline cyanobacterial mat and anoxic sediments of solar salterns. Genome sequences of five isolates were obtained and compared with metagenome‐assembled genomes representing related uncultured bacteria from various anoxic aquatic environments. Gene content surveys suggest a strictly fermentative saccharolytic metabolism for members of this lineage, which could be confirmed by the phenotypic characterization of isolates. Genetic analyses indicate that the retrieved isolates do not have a canonical origin of DNA replication, but initiate chromosome replication at alternative sites possibly leading to an accelerated evolution. Further potential factors driving evolution and speciation within this clade include genome reduction by metabolic specialization and rearrangements of the genome by mobile genetic elements, which have a high prevalence in strains from hypersaline sediments and mats. Based on genetic and phenotypic data a distinct group of strictly anaerobic heterotrophic planctomycetes within the Phycisphaerae class could be assigned to a novel order that is represented by the proposed genus Sedimentisphaera gen. nov. comprising two novel species, S. salicampi gen. nov., sp. nov. and S. cyanobacteriorum gen. nov., sp. nov.     

Neotapirissus gen. nov. of the tribe Issini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Issidae) from Hainan Island

Neotapirissus gen. nov. , in the tribe Issini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Issidae), is described from China, and type species Neotapirissus reticularis sp. nov. (China: Hainan) is described and illustrated. The female internal reproductive organs of the new species are also described and illustrated. The new genus is compared to the superficially similar genus Tapirissus Gnezdilov. The morphological diversity of the issids distributed in Hainan Island is discussed briefly.     

Description and functional testing of four species of the novel phototrophic genus Chioneia gen. nov., isolated from different East Antarctic environments

Seven Gram-negative, aerobic, non-sporulating, motile strains were isolated from terrestrial (R-67880^T, R-67883, R-36501 and R-36677^T) and aquatic (R-39604, R-39161^T and R-39594^T) East Antarctic environments (i.e. soil and aquatic microbial mats), between 2007 and 2014. Analysis of near-complete 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains potentially form a novel genus in the family Sphingomonadaceae (Alphaproteobacteria). DNA-DNA reassociation and average nucleotide identity values indicated distinction from close neighbors in the family Sphingomonadaceae and showed that the seven isolates form four different species. The main central pathways present in the strains are the glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle and pentose phosphate pathway. The strains can use only a limited number of carbon sources and mainly depend on ammonia and sulfate as a nitrogen and sulfur source, respectively. The novel strains showed the potential of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophy, based on the presence of bacteriochlorophyll a pigments, which was corroborated by the presence of genes for all building blocks for a type 2 photosynthetic reaction center in the annotated genomes. Based on the results of phenotypic, genomic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses, the strains could be assigned four new species in the novel genus Chioneia gen. nov. in the family Sphingomonadaceae, for which the names C. frigida sp. nov. (R-67880^T, R-67883 and R-36501), C. hiemis sp. nov. (R-36677^T), C. brumae sp. nov. (R-39161^T and R-39604) and C. algoris sp. nov. (R-39594^T) are proposed.     

New species of sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Nitidulini) from the Baltic and Bitterfeld ambers

A new genus, Microsoronia, gen. nov., and new species of this genus, M. hoffeinsorum, sp. nov. from the Bitterfeld amber and M. kerneggeri sp. nov., M. nigerrima sp. nov., and M. interfax, sp. nov. from the Baltic amber, are described. The earliest known member of the genus Phenolia, P. (Lasiodites) angustitibialis, sp. nov., is described from the Baltic amber. The systematic position of these two genera, their possible evolution, as well as the possible ecology and bionomics of their members are discussed. It is shown that “Phenolia” incapax Scudder, 1890 should be included in the family Peltidae, rather than Nitidulidae.     

Species delimitation in the Andean grasshopper genus Orotettix Ronderos & Carbonell (Orthoptera: Melanoplinae): an integrative approach combining morphological,molecular and biogeographical data

The reciprocal illumination nature of integrative taxonomy through hypothesis testing, corroboration and revision is a powerful tool for species delimitation as more than one source has to support the hypothesis of a new species. In this study, we applied an integrative taxonomy approach combining molecular and morphological data sets with distributional patterns to examine the level of differentiation between and within the grasshopper Orotettix species. Orotettix was described based on five valid species distributed in the Andes of Peru. In our study, initially a molecular‐based hypothesis was postulated and tested against morphological data and geographical patterns of distribution. Results from molecular and morphological analyses showed agreement among the species delimitation in Orotettix, and were also consistent with the geographical distribution. The analyses allowed us to delimit five new species for the genus ( O. lunatus sp. nov. , O . astreptos sp. nov. , O. colcaensis sp. nov. , O . paucartambensis sp. nov. and O . dichrous sp. nov. ) from the Eastern and Western Cordilleras of Peru. We also provide critical knowledge on the phylogenetic relationships and distribution of the genus and conduct a revision of Orotettix. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Albertania and Egbenema gen. nov. from Nigeria and the United States,expanding biodiversity in the Oculatellaceae (cyanobacteria)

Knowledge of the tropical terrestrial cyanobacterial flora from the African continent is still limited. Of 31 strains isolated from soil and subaerial samples collected in Lagos State, Nigeria, three were found to be in the Oculatellaceae, including two species in a new genus. Subsequently, isolates from microbial mats in White Sands National Park in New Mexico, United States, and from a rock near the ocean in Puerto Rico, United States, were found to belong to the new genus as well. Cyanobacterial isolates were characterized microscopically, sequenced for the 16S rRNA gene and associated ITS region, and phylogenetically analyzed. Egbenema gen. nov., with three new species, as well as two new species of Albertania were differentiated from all other Oculatellaceae. Both genera belong to a supported clade within the Oculatellaceae that includes Trichotorquatus and Komarkovaea. The two new species of Albertania, A. egbensis and A. latericola, were from the same sample, but were evolutionarily separate based on 16S rRNA gene phylogenies, percent identity below the 98.7% threshold, and ITS rRNA percent dissimilarity >7.0%. Egbenema aeruginosum gen. et sp. nov. was phylogenetically separated from Trichotorquatus and Albertania but was in a clade with other strains belonging to Egbenema. The two Egbenema strains from the United States are here named Egbenema epilithicum sp. nov. and Egbenema gypsiphilum sp. nov. Our results support the hypothesis that further species discoveries of novel cyanobacteria will likely be made in soils and subaerial habitats, as these habitats continue to be studied, both in tropical and temperate biomes.     

New stoneflies (Insecta: Perlida = Plecoptera) from the late Mesozoic locality Khasurty,Transbaikalia

From the Lower Cretaceous locality Khasurty, western Transbaikalia, a new genus and species, Rasnitsyrina culonga, gen. et sp. nov. are described in the family Perlariopseidae. R. desiliens (Sinitshenkova, 1987), originally described in the genus Karanemoura Sinitshenkova, 1987, is transferred to the new genus. Two new species belonging to recent families are described: Dimoula khasurtensis sp. nov. (Nemouridae) and Jurataenionema rohdendorfi sp. nov. (Taeniopterygidae). All new species are described from fossils of adults.     

Molecular phylogeny of the tribe Erotini with description of a new genus from China (Coleoptera: Lycidae)

Erotini is a small tribe of net‐winged beetles known from the northern temperate zone. We investigated relationships and limits of tribes and genera using a molecular phylogeny inferred from rrnL, cox1 and nad5 mtDNA fragments. Lopheros Leconte, 1881 and Pseudaplatopterus Kleine, 1940 were inferred in current molecular analyses as terminal lineages within Erotini. Therefore, we consider Lopherotini Kazantsev, 2012 and Pseudaplatopterina Kazantsev, 2012 as junior synonyms of Erotini Leconte, 1881. The Platycis genus group comprises 19 species representing several genus‐group taxa previously placed in Platycis s. l. Konoplatycis Nakane, 1969 was recovered as a deeply rooted lineage of Erotini and we inferred another independent lineage for which we propose a new genus Sinoplatycis gen. nov. Additionally, we studied the diversity of Platycis s. l. in Asia, found their highest diversity in the temperate forest habitats of Eastern Asia and inferred the paraphyletic character of the subgenus Erotides s. str. Five new species are described from China: Sinoplatycis cardinalis sp. nov. , S. zhani sp. nov. (type species of Sinoplatycis gen. nov. ), Erotides brunnescens sp. nov. , E. pusillus sp. nov. and E. slipinskii sp. nov. The molecular phylogeny shows deep splits of Japanese species with respect to the continental Eurasian fauna and the role of shallow seas and mountain systems in the diversification of the Platycis genus group.