New and poorly known “araphid” diatom species (Bacillariophyta) from regions near Lake Titicaca, South America and a discussion on the continued use of morphological characters in “araphid” diatom taxonomy

Based on two Andean Altiplano samples and on light and scanning electron microscopy analyses, we present six new species of “araphid” diatoms in the genus Pseudostaurosira, P. aedessp. nov., P. frankenaesp. nov., P. heteropolarissp. nov., P. oblongasp. nov., P. occultasp. nov., and P. pulchrasp. nov. Additional data are provided for four other known taxa, Nanofrustulum cataractarum, N. rarissimum, P. sajamaensis and P. vulpina, the latter species corresponding to a stat. nov. based on a variety of P. laucensis. Each taxon is described morphologically and compared with closely related published taxa, using characters such as axial area, virgae, vimines, areolar shape, volae, internal striae depositions, spines, flaps and apical pore fields, which are not usually used for species distinction within the genus. It is our intention that the detailed morphological descriptions of each taxon and the elaborate comparative tables we provide serve as a basis for correction of neo and paleo-databases for the Altiplano to produce a better account of autecological data and ecological change in the region. Some arguments for our continued use of a morphologically based approach are given in the context of rapid environmental degradation in the Andes and the difficulties in applying molecular approaches in countries such as Bolivia.

Pseudomonas guryensis sp. nov. and Pseudomonas ullengensis sp. nov., isolated from soil

Two Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria designated strains SR9T and UL070T, were isolated from soil and subjected to taxonomic characterization. Strain SR9T grew at 10–37 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 4.0–10.0 (optimum pH 8.0) and in the presence of 0–1 % NaCl (optimum 0 %), and UL070T at 4–33 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 4.0–10.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0–2 % NaCl (optimum 0 %), respectively. Strain UL070T was motile with flagella. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains fell into phylogenetic clusters belonging to the genus Pseudomonas . Both strains SR9T and UL070T were mostly related to Pseudomonas campi S1-A32-2T with 99.70 and 99.01% sequence similarities, and the similarity between the two isolates was 98.90 %. The genome-based in silico analyses indicated that each of the strains SR9T and UL070T was clearly separated from other species of Pseudomonas , as the orthologous average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) and the digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values were no higher than 93.09 and 50.03% respectively with any related species, which were clearly below the cutoff for species distinction. The fatty acid profiles of the two strains mainly consisting of unsaturated components, the presence of ubiquinone 9 (Q-9) as the major respiratory quinone, and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) as the diagnostic polar lipids were consistent with their classification into Pseudomonas . The DNA G+C contents of strains SR9T and UL070T were 63.2 mol% and 63.6 mol% respectively. On the basis of both phenotypic and phylogenetic evidences, each of the isolated strains should be classified as a novel species, for which the names Pseudomonas guryensis sp. nov. (type strain=SR9T=KCTC 82228T=JCM 34509T) and Pseudomonas ullengensis sp. nov. (type strain=UL070T=KCTC 82229T=JCM 34510T) are proposed.

Candida Species (Volatile) Metabotyping through Advanced Comprehensive Two‐Dimensional Gas Chromatography

Microbial metabolomics is a challenge strategy that allows a comprehensive analysis of metabolites within a microorganism and may support a new approach in microbial research, including the microbial diagnosis. Thus, the aim of this research was to in-depth explore a metabolomics strategy based on the use of an advanced multidimensional gas chromatography for the comprehensive mapping of cellular metabolites of C. albicans and non-C. albicans (C. glabrata and C. tropicalis) and therefore contributing for the development of a comprehensive platform for fungal detection management and for species distinction in early growth times (6 h). The volatile fraction comprises 126 putatively identified metabolites distributed over several chemical families: acids, alcohols, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, esters, ketones, monoterpenic and sesquiterpenic compounds, norisoprenoids, phenols and sulphur compounds. These metabolites may be related with different metabolic pathways, such as amino acid metabolism and biosynthesis, fatty acids metabolism, aromatic compounds degradation, mono and sesquiterpenoid synthesis and carotenoid cleavage. These results represent an enlargement of ca. 70% of metabolites not previously reported for C. albicans, 91% for C. glabrata and 90% for C. tropicalis. This study represents the most detailed study about Candida species exometabolome, allowing a metabolomic signature of each species, which signifies an improvement towards the construction of a Candida metabolomics platform whose application in clinical diagnostics can be crucial to guide therapeutic interventions.

Evidence for the dissolution of the Calyptra minuticornis novaepommeraniae (Strand) and C. minuticornis minuticornis (Guenée) sub-species distinction (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

The species Calyptra minuticornis is divided into two subspecies: C. minuticornis novaepommeraniae (Strand) and C. minuticornis minuticornis (Guenée) based on minor morphological differences, geographic distribution, and differential feeding behaviors in the adults. In this study, museum specimens were examined, including the holotypes of C. novaepommeraniae and C. minuticornis. A comprehensive distribution map was generated for C. minuticornis. A permutational multivariate analysis of variance provided some statistical evidence for minor differences between the male genitalic morphology. Additionally, the maximum parsimony analysis of the C. minuticornis subspecies complex resulted in a polytomy and did not represent natural groupings. From these results, it can be concluded that C. minuticornis novaepommeraniae and C. minuticornis minuticornis should be synonymized. A redescription of the species and a revised checklist for the genus is also provided. This includes synonymization of Wolframmeyia Behounek, Hacker & Speidel with Calyptra and evidence that Percalpe Berio is an unavailable name.

Dealing with a hairy beast–larval morphology and chaetotaxy of the Australian endemic diving beetle genus Spencerhydrus (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Cybistrini)

In this contribution, the larval morphology of Spencerhydrus Sharp, 1882 was studied, an Australian endemic genus in the diving beetle tribe Cybistrini. All instars of the only two species included in the genus (S. latecinctus Sharp, 1882 and S. pulchellus Sharp, 1882) are described and illustrated with the exception of the third instar of S. latecinctus. Detailed morphometric and primary chaetotaxic analyses were performed to discover useful characters for generic diagnosis and species distinction. Spencerhydrus can be distinguished from other Cybistrini genera by the medial projection of frontoclypeus slightly indented apically, with lamellae clypeales directed forward in a characteristic V-shaped pattern, the median process of prementum strongly developed, the presence of a single ventral sclerite on prothorax, the presence of basoventral spinulae on claws, and the reduced sclerotization of the abdominal segment VII which covers only the anterior half. Larvae of the two species of Spencerhydrus can readily be distinguished by the shape of the median process of prementum, which is visibly broader in S. pulchellus than in S. latecinctus.

Species Distinction in theTrichophyton rubrumComplex

ABSTRACTTheTrichophyton rubrumspecies complex comprises commonly encountered dermatophytic fungi with a worldwide distribution. The members of the complex usually have distinct phenotypes in culture and cause different clinical symptoms, despite high genome similarity. In order to better delimit the species within the complex, molecular, phenotypic, and physiological characteristics were combined to reestablish a natural species concept. Three groups,T. rubrum,T. soudanense, andT. violaceum, could be distinguished based on the sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA barcode gene. On average, strains within each group were similar by colony appearance, microscopy, and physiology, but strains between groups showed significant differences.Trichophyton rubrumstrains had higher keratinase activity, whereasT. violaceumstrains tended to be more lipophilic; however, none of the phenotypic features were diagnostic. The results of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) were partially consistent with the ITS data but failed to distinguish the species unambiguously. Despite their close similarity,T. violaceum,T. soudanense, andT. rubrumcan be regarded as independent species with distinct geographical distributions and clinical predilections.Trichophyton soudanenseis pheno- and genotypically intermediate betweenT. rubrumandT. violaceum. For routine diagnostics, ITS sequencing is recommended.

Spatial Distribution, Morphological Descriptors and Seed Biometry of Syagrus oleracea (Mart.) Becc. (Arecaceae): An Important Brazilian Cerrado Palm

The Syagrus oleracea is adapted for dry regions, has used for food, ornamental palm and development of cosmetic. It occurs in impacted areas of Cerrado. The management of the species is important for traditional communities. Morphological descriptors, biometric pyrenes and spatial distribution of individuals are important for the species distinction, conservation, forest management and implantation of breeding programs. Thus, our objectives were to determine and correlate the main morphological characters of the palm tree, to evaluate the biometric of the pyrenes and the spatial distribution of the species. Neighbourhood Density Function (NDF) evaluated the spatial distribution in georeferenced individuals in four populations (Mirabela, Mato Verde, Rio Pardo de Minas and Novorizonte). The Novorizonte population showed an aggregate pattern in the first distance classes. The other populations had a random pattern. We evaluated 13 morphological descriptors in six populations (Mirabela, Mato Verde, Rio Pardo de Minas, Novorizonte, Varzelandia and São João da Ponte). The cluster analysis corroborates the results obtained by the multivariate analysis, which shows a greater distance of the SJP3 and SJP5 samples from the other accessions. The evaluated characteristics of the pyrenes biometry were: longitudinal diameter, equatorial diameter and the mass of the pyrenes. The highest mean longitudinal (22.17 mm) and equatorial diameter (38.89 mm) in addition to the mean mass (9.29 g) were observed in the Novorizonte population. The fruits of S. oleracea present an elongated shape. The study generated important information about the species that is still little studied, and has economic potential for product development.