scholarly journals Morphological and molecular characterization of Langdonia walkerae sp. nov. infecting Aristida stricta and A. beyrichiana in longleaf pine-grassland ecosystems in the southeastern USA

Author(s):  
A.S. Alqurashi ◽  
J. Kerrigan ◽  
K.G. Savchenko

A smut fungus that hinders wiregrass restoration efforts in longleaf pine-grassland ecosystems was collected from Aristida stricta and A. beyrichiana (Poaceae) in three states in the southeastern USA. Morphological and phylogenetic characteristics of this fungus were examined. These data show that the specimens from both plant species were infected by the same fungus and represent a new species of Langdonia. The new species differs morphologically from other species of Langdonia by teliospores being solitary and not compacted into spore balls. Spore wall ornamentation and teliospore size also differ from other Langdonia species. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences of the ITS, LSU, and EF-1α supported separation of the species from A. stricta and A. beyrichiana from other Langdonia species. Based on these results, a new species, Langdonia walkerae, is proposed.

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 312 (1) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
HUAN-DI ZHENG ◽  
WEN-YING ZHUANG

A new species, namely Chlorociboria herbicola, is discovered on herbaceous stems in central China. Morphologically, the new fungus is distinctive by the combination of light blue-green apothecia, rectangular cells in ectal excipulum, and elongate-ellipsoidal ascospores with rounded ends. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences confirm its ascription in Chlorociboria and distinction from the known species of the genus.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 427 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-42
Author(s):  
LEI SHU ◽  
RUI-LIANG ZHU

Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological characters, a new species from Bangladesh, northern Vietnam, and southwestern China, Leptolejeunea nigra, is described. It is mostly similar to L. balansae but remarkable for having brownish black ocelli in its leaf lobes. In the molecular phylogeny, the samples of L. nigra are not nested within any clade and form an independent lineage. In particular, the molecular dating suggested that the divergence of L. nigra happened in time span of the formation of the Himalayas.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 401 (3) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
ZHENYAN YANG ◽  
CHENGJIN YANG ◽  
YUNHENG JI

Paris variabilis, a new species from the Wumengshan Mountains, southwestern China, is described and illustrated. The new species is placed in Paris section Euthyra. The new taxon was determined to be most morphologically similar to P. vietnamensis but differs in its oblong leaf blades with an acute apex, stamens 2–4 × petal number, greenish yellow filaments and an enlarged, purplish red style base. The phylogenetic placement of this species was assessed based on nuclear ribosomal ITS DNA sequences data. The results of morphological and phylogenetic analyses support the status of the taxon as a new species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Fan Cao ◽  
Hui-Xia Chen ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Dang-Wei Zhou ◽  
Shi-Long Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Tibetan antelope Pantholops hodgsonii (Abel) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) is an endangered species of mammal endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Parasites and parasitic diseases are considered to be important threats in the conservation of the Tibetan antelope. However, our present knowledge of the composition of the parasites of the Tibetan antelope remains limited. Methods Large numbers of nematode parasites were collected from a dead Tibetan antelope. The morphology of these nematode specimens was observed using light and scanning electron microscopy. The nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, i.e. small subunit ribosomal DNA (18S), large subunit ribosomal DNA (28S), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), were amplified and sequenced for molecular identification. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood (ML) inference based on 28S and 18S + 28S + cox1 sequence data, respectively, in order to clarify the systematic status of these nematodes. Results Integrated morphological and genetic evidence reveals these nematode specimens to be a new species of pinworm Skrjabinema longicaudatum (Oxyurida: Oxyuridae). There was no intraspecific nucleotide variation between different individuals of S. longicaudatum n. sp. in the partial 18S, 28S, ITS and cox1 sequences. However, a high level of nucleotide divergence was revealed between the new species and its congeners in 28S (8.36%) and ITS (20.3–23.7%) regions, respectively. Molecular phylogenetic results suggest that the genus Skrjabinema should belong to the subfamily Oxyurinae (Oxyuroidea: Oxyuridae), instead of the subfamily Syphaciidae or Skrjabinemiinae in the traditional classification, as it formed a sister relationship to the genus Oxyuris. Conclusions A new species of pinworm Skrjabinema longicaudatum n. sp. (Oxyurida: Oxyuridae) is described. Skrjabinema longicaudatum n. sp. represents the first species of Oxyurida (pinworm) and the fourth nematode species reported from the Tibetan antelope. Our results contribute to the knowledge of the species diversity of parasites from the Tibetan antelope, and clarify the systematic position of the genus Skrjabinema.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 305-314
Author(s):  
M. Procter ◽  
W.J. Nel ◽  
S. Marincowitz ◽  
P.W. Crous ◽  
M.J. Wingfield

Species of Raffaelea (Ophiostomatales: Ascomycota) are obligate symbionts of ambrosia beetles, some of which pose a substantial threat to forest trees. Leucaena leucocephala is a small mimosoid tree species that is considered as an invasive weed in most of its introduced range globally. During a field expedition on the French island of Réunion, dying L. leucocephala trees were observed. Samples were taken from these trees and isolations made from symptomatic wood tissues that included beetle tunnels, but in the absence of the beetles themselves. Multiple isolates of a fungus resembling a Raffaelea species were obtained from the discoloured wood associated with the beetle tunnels. To determine their identity, microscopic examination was performed and DNA sequences for three gene regions (ITS, LSU, TUB) were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses based on these gene regions revealed that the isolates represent a new species of Raffaelea, described here as R. borbonica sp. nov. A pathogenicity test was conducted with the fungus, which was shown to cause lesions on the inoculated seedlings, but with a low level of aggressiveness.


2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 20130486 ◽  
Author(s):  
William T. Stanley ◽  
Lynn W. Robbins ◽  
Jean M. Malekani ◽  
Sylvestre Gambalemoke Mbalitini ◽  
Dudu Akaibe Migurimu ◽  
...  

The hero shrew's ( Scutisorex somereni ) massive interlocking lumbar vertebrae represent the most extreme modification of the vertebral column known in mammals. No intermediate form of this remarkable morphology is known, nor is there any convincing theory to explain its functional significance. We document a new species in the heretofore monotypic genus Scutisorex ; the new species possesses cranial and vertebral features representing intermediate character states between S. somereni and other shrews. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences support a sister relationship between the new species and S. somereni . While the function of the unusual spine in Scutisorex is unknown, it gives these small animals incredible vertebral strength. Based on field observations, we hypothesize that the unique vertebral column is an adaptation allowing these shrews to lever heavy or compressive objects to access concentrated food resources inaccessible to other animals.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 227 (1) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai-Chao Leong ◽  
Tao Deng ◽  
Hang Sun ◽  
Ching-I Peng ◽  
Kuo-Fang Chung

Begonia palmata D. Don is one of the most widely distributed and morphologically variable species of Asian Begoniaceae. Examinations of its morphological variation indicate that two of its seven varieties, B. palmata var. difformis and B. palmata var. crassisetulosa, both distributed in the Gaoligong Mountain areas of Yunnan, China are indistinguishable and yet distinct from other varieties. Phylogenetic analyses using ITS DNA sequences further reveals that samples identifiable to these two varieties are also distantly related to samples of typical B. palmata. Based on these observations, we combine and elevate these two varieties to the status of species, Begonia difformis (Irmsch.) W.C. Leong, C.I Peng & K.F Chung, comb. & stat. nov..


Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 441 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-94
Author(s):  
YAN-LIU CHEN ◽  
MING-SHENG SU ◽  
LIN-PING ZHANG ◽  
QIN ZOU ◽  
FEI WU ◽  
...  

Pseudohydnum brunneiceps is described as a new species from Jiangxi Province, central China. Morphologically, it is characterized by a gelatinous basidiocarps, pilei pale yellowish brown, dark reddish brown to blackish velutinate, spines conical and white, and basidiospores globose to broadly ellipsoidal. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from partial 28S region and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) also confirm that P. brunneiceps forms an independent lineage within Pseudohydnum. A description, photographs of the fresh basidiomata and line-drawings of the microstructures are provided. In addition, the previous records of P. gelatinosum in China should be re-evaluated by more representative samples by molecular phylogeny.


2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merel L. Dalebout ◽  
James G. Mead ◽  
C. Scott Baker ◽  
Alan N. Baker ◽  
Anton L. Helden

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Fan Cao ◽  
Hui-Xia Chen ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Dang-Wei Zhou ◽  
Shi-Long Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Tibetan antelope Pantholops hodgsonii (Abel) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) is an endangered and endemic species of mammal to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Parasites and their caused parasitic diseases are considered to be important threats in the conservation of the Tibetan antelope. However, our present knowledge of the composition of the parasites from the Tibetan antelope remains limited. Methods Large numbers of nematode parasites were collected from a dead Tibetan antelope. The morphology of these nematode specimens were observed using light and scanning electron microscopy. The nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences [i.e. small ribosomal DNA (18S), large ribosomal DNA (28S), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( cox 1)] were amplified and sequenced for molecular identification. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood (ML) inference based on 28S and 18S + 28S + cox 1 sequence data, respectively, in order to clarify the systematic status of these nematodes. Results Integrated morphological and genetic evidence reveals these nematode specimens to be a new species of pinworm Skrjabinema longicaudatum sp. n. (Oxyurida: Oxyuridae). There is no intraspecific nucleotide variation found between different individuals of S. longicaudatum sp. n. in the partial 18S, 28S, ITS and cox 1 sequences. However, the high level of nucleotide divergence was revealed between the new species and its congeners in 28S (8.36%) and ITS (20.3–23.7%) regions, respectively. Molecular phylogenetic results supported that the genus Skrjabinema should belong to the subfamily Oxyurinae (Oxyuroidea: Oxyuridae), instead of the subfamily Syphaciidae or Skrjabinemiinae in the traditional classification, which formed a sister relationship to the genus Oxyuris . Conclusions A new species of pinworm Skrjabinema longicaudatum sp. n. (Oxyurida: Oxyuridae) was described. Skrjabinema longicaudatum sp. n. represents the first species of Oxyurida (pinworm) and the fourth nematode species reported from the Tibetan antelope. Our results contribute to our knowledge on the species diversity of parasites from the Tibetan antelope, and also clarified the systematic position of the genus Skrjabinema .


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