Use of Cellulose Acetate Electrophoresis in the Taxonomy of Steinernematids (Rhabditida,Nematoda)

A steinernematid nematode was isolated from soil samples collected near St. John''s, Newfoundland, Canada. On the basis of its morphometry and RFLPs in ribosomal DNA spacer, it was designated as a new strain, NF, of Steinernema feltiae. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis was used to separate isozymes of eight enzymes in infective juveniles of S. feltiae NF as well as four other isolates: S. feltiae Umeå strain, S. feltiae L1C strain, Steinernema carpocapsae All strain, and Steinernema riobravis TX strain. Based on comparisons of the relative electrophoretic mobilities (μ) of the isozymes, one of the eight enzymes (arginine kinase) yielded zymograms that were distinctive for each of the isolates, except for the Umeå and NF strains of S. feltiae, which had identical banding patterns. Four enzymes (fumarate hydratase, phosphoglucoisomerase, phosphoglucomutase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) yielded isozyme banding patterns that were characteristic for all isolates, except for the L1C and NF strains of S. feltiae, which were identical. Two enzymes (aspartate amino transferase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) yielded zymograms that permitted S. carpocapsae All strain to be discriminated from the other four isolates, while the remaining enzyme (mannose-6-phosphate isomerase) was discriminatory for S. riobravis TX strain. Except for one enzyme, the isozyme banding pattern of the NF isolate of S. feltiae was the same as in the L1C strain, isolated 13 years previously from Newfoundland. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis could prove invaluable for taxonomic identification of isolates of steinernematids, provided that a combination of enzymes is used.     

Descriptions of Three New Longidorus Species from Alaska (Nematoda: Longidoridae)

Three new Longidorus species, L. alaskaensis n. sp., L. paralaskaensis n. sp., and L. bernardi n. sp., are described from specimens collected near Fairbanks, Alaska. Longidorus alaskaensis differs from all species of Longidorus by the presence of a caecum-like structure situated at the reflex of the oviduct. Longidorus paralaskaensis most closely resembles L. alaskaensis n. sp., L. crassus Thorne, L. picenus Roca, Lamberti &Agostinelli, and L. silvae Roca, differing from the last three of these species by having a parallel vs. a tapered lip region, and from all four by having a more narrowly rounded tail tip. Longidorus paralaskaensis differs from L. alaskaensis by having a longer odontostyle (119-128 vs. 110-118 μm) and by lacking the caecum-like structure found at the reflex of the oviduct. Longidorus bernardi n. sp. most closely resembles L. mirus Khan, Chawla &Seshadri, from which it differs by having a longer tail with a more acutely rounded tip, a longer body length (3.5-4.6 vs. 3.0-3.6 μm), and a larger c'' value (1.6-1.8 vs. 1.3-1.6). Longidorus bernardi differs from L. sylphus Thorne, L. africanus Merny, L. auratus Jacobs &Heyns, and L. conicaudatus Khan by having a slightly expanded lip region vs. a lip region with parallel body walls and a more finely rounded tail tip.     

The relationship between physical and chemical conditions and low microbial diversity in the Blue Lagoon geothermal lake in Iceland

Abstract: The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a shallow geothermal lake with average temperatures of 37°C, pH 7.5 and about 2.5% salinity. It was formed in 1976 from the effluents of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant and is saturated with silica which constantly precipitates in the lake. It has been colonized by a few types of specialized microorganisms which seem to proliferate in this unusual ecosystem. The average bacterial colony count in the lake was 1.3 × 10⁵ ml⁻¹ on plate count agar made with 50% Blue Lagoon fluid but 2.6 × 10⁶ ml⁻¹ when determined with the MPN method. A total of 99 isolates were purified and characterized by 54 phenotypic tests and then grouped using Numerical Taxonomy. At similarity values of 80%, one major cluster was formed containing 85% of the isolates. Four representative strains from this cluster were further characterized and all shown to be Gram-negative, obligately aerobic, non-motile rods. They were oxidase positive, catalase negative and grew optimally at 45°C and in 3.5% NaCl with doubling time of about 80 min.     

Phylogeny and taxonomy of rhizobia

Rhizobia are bacteria that form nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots, or occasionally the shoots, of legumes. There are currently more than a dozen validly named species, but the true number of species is probably orders of magnitude higher. The named species are listed and briefly discussed. Sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU or 16S rRNA) support the well-established subdivision of rhizobia into three genera: Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, and Azorhizobium. These all lie within the alpha subdivision of the Proteobacteria, but on quite distinct branches, each of which also includes many bacterial species that are not rhizobia. It has been clear for several years that Rhizobium, on this definition, is still too broad and is polyphyletic: there are many non-rhizobia within this radiation. Recently, therefore, it has been suggested that this genus should be split into four genera, namely Rhizobium (R. leguminosarum, R. tropici, R. etli), Sinorhizobium (S. fredii, S. meliloti, S. teranga, S. saheli), Mesorhizobium (M. loti, M. huakuii, M ciceri, M. tianshanense, M. mediterraneum), and a fourth, unnamed, genus for the current R. galegae. The evidence and pros and cons are reviewed.     

The use of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers for the study of taxonomical relationships among species of ASPHODELUS sect. Verinea (Asphodelaceae)

RAPD analysis was applied to the three species of Asphodelus sect. Verinea (Pomel) Boissier (Asphodelaceae): Asphodelus fistulosus L., A. ayardii Jahand. & Maire, and A. tenuifolius Cav. Fifteen populations, five per species, were used and eight primers were sampled. A total of 97 amplification products were generated, and 4–12 polymorphic products per primer were obtained. Several specific RAPD markers were detected for A. ayardii and A. tenuifolius, while only two for A. fistulosus, which shares most amplification products with the two former species. Results that reinforce the specific status of the three taxa are shown. Asphodelus tenuifolius showed the highest interpopulation variability in agreement with the high specialization of other characters in this species. In accordance with these results, an amphidiploid origin for A. fistulosus, with the participation of A. ayardii and A. tenuifolius, is suggested.     

Aquatic Oligochaeta in Italy, with special reference to Naididae

We present a list of Italian freshwater and marine Oligochaeta in the families Lumbriculidae, Haplotaxidae, Tubificidae, Naididae, Propappidae, Criodrilidae, and Lumbricidae, representing 57 genera and 130 species. Published data reflect the incomplete knowledge of the Italian oligochaete fauna, restricted to certain geographical areas. Subterranean aquatic and marine fauna are of particular interest as these have been studied the least. We provide a comprehensive review of the Naididae including, for the first time, southern Italy and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The distribution of species is discussed and taxonomic problems arising from the morphological variability of Italian material are examined.     

刺孢小克银汉霉原变种和轮生刺孢小克银汉霉变种(新组合)

刺孢小克银汉霉[Cunninghamella echinulata(Thaxt.) Thaxt. ex Blakeslce]是小克银汉霉属的模式种,多年来因不同作者是否将贝尼尔小克银汉霉(C. bainieri Naum.)包含在内而对此种持广义(sensu lato)或狭义(scnsu stricto)的不同理解。我们在国内分离到51株刺孢小克银汉霉(广义)菌种,经与获自css的7株菌(包括刺孢小克银汉霉的模式菌种在内)和IMI的1株菌(原定名称均为刺孢小克银汉霉)一起研究后,根据它们的无性型形态特征有明显不同但在配合试验中又可互相配合形成可育的接合孢子的结果,认为将它们处理为同一个种的两个不同变种较为合理.其中,13株中国的菌和3株CBS及IMI的菌被鉴定为刺孢小克银汉霉原变种(C. echinulata var. echinulata);其余的38株中国的菌和5株CBS的菌被鉴定为轮生刺孢小克银汉霉变种(新组合)[C. echinulata var. verticillata (F. S. Paine.) comb. nov.j.以‘轮生(verticillata)’作为新组合变种的加词是根据与贝尼尔小克银汉霉同物异名的‘轮生布拉小克银汉霉(C. blakesleeana var. verticillata (F. S. Paine) Baijal & B. S. Mchrotra)’而来的.在前人的工作中,对刺孢小克银汉霉持狭义理解的作者往往根据孢子枝的分枝方式、巨型暗色孢子的有无、以及40℃能否生长来区分这两个分类群.对刺孢小克银汉霉持广义理解的作者则认为这些特性毫无意义.我们同意后面两个特性意义不大,因为二者的许多菌系都能形成巨型暗色袍子并在40℃生长,但认为孢子枝分枝方式确实是区别这两个分类群的重要依据.此外,根据产孢构造的种类、孢子枝主枝的直径、孢子枝第一次分枝的数目、分枝长度、孢子枝主枝的顶生泡囊形状以及其直径等性状综合考虑,这两个分类群是不难明确区分的,对12株刺孢小克银汉霉原变种和13株轮生刺孢小克银汉霉相互之间所进行的配合试验结果表明,在具一定性亲和力的(+)、(一)菌系同时存在时,两个变种内和变种之间均可形成可育的接合孢子。对上述三种配合的各六对菌所形成的有性型形态的研究结果则表明,除轮生刺孢小克银汉霉变种内形成的接合孢子的壁往往较厚外,各种配合形成的有性型形态基本上是一致的.我们研究组的其他成员最近曾对小克银汉霉的22株菌进行了rDNA的ITS区的PCR产物长度测定,其中包括了刺孢小克银汉霉原变种和轮生刺孢小克银汉霉变种的各3株菌,它们的平均长度(bp)分别为890±7.5和915±7.6.这个结果也支持了我们在这两个分类群可以互相配合的情况下仍将它们作为两个不同变种的处理.这两个分类群虽然已被发表多次,但它们的描述和绘图均过于简单而未能充分显示出它们的区别性特征,因此我们在本文中再次作了描述并再次提供了详尽的线条图和显微照相.     

Taxonomy of Pyramimonas obovata and other observations on the subgenus Vestigifera of Pyramimonas (Prasinophyceae, Chlorophyta)

A vestigiferan species commonly referred to as Pyramimonas obovata N. Carter has been redescribed as P. melkonianii sp, nov. Characters of this species and a further six (P. disomata Butcher ex McFadden, Hill et Wetherbee, P. mantoniae Moestrup et Hill, P. mitra Moestrup et Hill. P. moestrupii McFadden, P. aff. nephroidea McFadden, P. orientalis Butcher ex McFadden, Hill et Wetherbee) isolated from South African waters are used to define further the subgenus Vestigifera McFadden. This includes a unique chloroplast shape and basal hyaline region with stellate or cruciform vacuoles, a transitional plate-like structure in the flagellum, and a different microtubular root system. The proximal set of basal body connectives were found to be remarkably symmetrical and like those of the subgenus Trichocystis McFadden, and a duct fibre was found associated with the Id root in all currently investigated species. The validity of the larger body (box and crown) scales as taxonomic markers at a fine level is also questioned.