PERIANTH COLOR IN THE GENUS TULIPA L. (LILIACEAE) AND ITS TAXONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE WITH EMPHASIS TO SPECIES FROM KYRGYZSTAN

Tulipa L. is a genus of perennial ephemeroid geophytes, which belongs to the lily family (Liliaceae). Kyrgyzstan is a relatively small country with a high level of specific and taxonomic diversity of tulips, where 28 species from 3 of 4 existing subgenera are found. The Tulipa genus belongs to a taxonomically “difficult” group of plants, where the distinctive interspecific characters are not well established. One of the characters, differently interpreted by researchers, is a color of perianth. It is assumed that the color of the tepals in the genus Tulipa depends on the taxonomic position of the species. To approve this assumption and determine the taxonomic significance of the perianth color character in the Tulipa genus, its variation within a separate species, as well as in different taxonomic groups of the genus Tulipa with of emphasis species growing in Kyrgyzstan are considered. It has been established that one types of perianth color is in the subgenus Orithyia, two - in the subgenus Eriostemones, and four - in the subgenus Tulipa. Perianth color in the genus Tulipa can be characteristic of a group of species as well as as well as to be different within the same species. The greatest variability in perianth color within a singl species is observed in representatives of the subgenus Tulipa, although in some regions there are large monochromatic populations. To such group of species belong T. kaufmanniana and T. ostrowskiana. Based on the above, flower color can be used as an additional taxonomic character in combination with other characters only. When establishing interspecific differences, should be considered range of the perianth color within the species.

The effect of conventional preservatives on spicule length of Heligmosomoides bakeri (Nematoda, Heligmosomidae)

Nematode spicules vary in shape and size even between closely related species and, therefore, constitute key characters in nematode taxonomy for distinguishing between species. Spicules are seldom measured on fresh specimens, but rather at some time after extraction from culled hosts and after a period of preservation of the worms in chemical fixatives or by freezing. We carried out two experiments to assess the effects of freezing in Hanks’ balanced salt solution, 70% or 80% ethanol and 10% formalin (both of the latter at room temperature and after storage at −80°C) on spicule length of Heligmosomoides bakeri at two time intervals after extraction from mice (Experiment 1, one and four weeks; Experiment 2, one and four months). In Experiment 1, no significant differences were detected, although there was some variation between treatments and over time. In Experiment 2, spicule length varied significantly between treatments and over time, the greatest shrinkage being in 80% ethanol and the least in 10% formalin. However, overall variation in spicule length was very limited, accounting for no more than 5.03% change in length over time and 4.95% between treatments at any of the periods of assessment. Therefore, while whole nematodes can shrivel and shrink in preservatives, making many measurements unreliable, our data indicated that spicule lengths are very little changed by preservation techniques over time, and so spicule length remains as a reliable taxonomic character.

Rusty-colored representatives of genus Circinaria Link. (lichenized ascomycetes) in arid habitats of Bogdinsko-Baskunchakskiy nature reserve

Diversity of Aspicilia desertorum s. l. was studied in Bogdinsko-Baskunchakskiy reserve (Astrakhanregion, Russia). The group comprises eight species in the region. Six of them include specimens with rusty-colored thalli.We found that trivalent iron in the cortex of the studied species is not a taxonomic character but has a connection withchemistry of the substrate and may act as a sun-screen, decreasing levels of UV-B reaching the photobiont.

Morphology of immature stages of Helophorus (Gephelophorus) auriculatus (Coleoptera, Helophoridae)

The morphology of immature stages of Helophorus (Gephelophorus) auriculatus Sharp, 1884 is described. This is the first description of the larva and pupa of the subgenus Gephelophorus Sharp, 1915. We describe the morphology of the egg-case, all larval stages (first to third instar, including chaetotaxy of the head) and pupa. Morphological transformations between larval instars were examined. Head chaetotaxy was nearly identical between instars. Ventral teeth on the nasale, considered as a useful taxonomic character, were absent in the first instar but well developed in later instars. Chaetotaxy differed among the subgenera Gephelophorus, Helophorus and Lihelophorus in the length and shape of setae on head capsule and maxilla. Pupal morphology was similar to that of previously described pupae: H. (Helophorus) aquaticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and H. (Rhopalohelophorus) orientalis Motschulsky, 1860. A key to families of the Hydrophiloidea of Japan based on larval characters is provided.

On the diversity of Terebellides (Annelida, Trichobranchidae) in West Africa, seven new species and the redescription of T. africana Augener, 1918 stat. prom.

The actual diversity of Terebellides (Annelida; Trichobranchidae) in the South East Atlantic Ocean remains largely unknown. Only two species have been reported to date, T. stroemii Sars, 1835 and T. jorgeni Hutchings, 2007. The revision of specimens collected during the Atlantide and Galathea oceanographic cruises in the Atlantic coast of Africa, along with new materials obtained during monitoring surveys off Gabon, Congo and Angola, has allowed us to describe seven new species: T. augeneri sp. nov., T. congolana sp. nov., T. fauveli sp. nov., T. kirkegaardi sp. nov., T. longiseta sp. nov., T. nkossa sp. nov. and T. ramili sp. nov. Moreover, the type material of Terebellides stroemii var. africana Augener, 1918 is redescribed and the variety raised to species. All taxa are morphologically characterised and compared with species described or reported in world seas, particularly from the Atlantic Ocean. The presence of T. stroemii in Africa and the validity of the thoracic uncini as taxonomic character is discussed and a key to all species of Terebellides described from the South Atlantic Ocean is provided.