A Mottled, Non-Lithified Paleosol in Brazil: Diagnosis by Morphological and Mineralogical Features

The identification of paleosols is difficult when no buried horizons or lithification occur. Here, we described the identification of a possible paleosol, its characterization, and which features supported its positive diagnosis. In a construction site, a vertical cut exposed an unusual red–yellow mottling with massive structure and channels (probably faunal), in contrast with the overlying homogeneous red Oxisol with fine granular structure. A similar but more deferrified section with white–yellow mottling also occurred nearby, and both were sampled as large clods. In thin sections, many oriented clay coatings occur along channel voids, suggesting illuviation, as well as dissolving Fe nodules and Mn coatings along planar and channel voids. X-ray diffraction showed a clay dominated by kaolinite, traces of illite, and absence of gibbsite, again contrasting with the gibsitic-kaolinitic clay of the Oxisol. We confirmed the diagnosis of a Paleoultisol due to the following incompatibilities with the overlying Oxisol: (1) massive, apedal structure, and higher bulk density; (2) clay coatings indicative of illuviation as key soil-forming process; (3) low clay contents in particle-size analysis due to cementation; (4) very low organic carbon consistent with long-term inhumation; and (5) kaolinitic–illitic clay. The unusual granular microstructure of the B horizon of the Oxisol is partly derived from disintegration and desilication of the Paleoultisol.

A new species of shieldtail snake (Squamata: Uropeltidae: Uropeltis) from the Bengaluru uplands, India

A new species of shieldtail snake, Uropeltis jerdoni, is here described based on eight specimens from Devarayana Durga and Nandi Durga that are under-researched hills near Bengaluru in southern India. The new species is a member of the Uropeltis ceylanica group that can be distinguished from related taxa as follows: a truncate and flattened caudal shield with a circumscribed concave disc; part of rostral visible from above subequal to its distance from frontal; rostral partially separating nasal scales; 17: 17: 17 dorsal scale rows; 140–148 ventral scales; 7–9 pairs of subcaudals; dark blackish-grey above, powdered with minute yellow specks, yellow lateral stripes on neck and tail; ventrolateral region with yellow mottling; venter black. This new species is currently known only from two ranges Devarayana Durga and Nandi Durga but judging by the presence of similar, adjacent massifs, is hypothesized to be present in nearby hillocks surrounding Bengaluru City.

A new species of shieldtail snake (Reptilia: Squamata: Uropeltidae) from Kolli Hill complex, southern Eastern Ghats, peninsular India

We describe a new species of shieldtail (uropeltid) snake, Uropeltis rajendrani sp. nov., from the Kolli Hill complex of the southern Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu, India. The new species belongs to the U. ceylanica group and is differentiated from related species in having 16–17:16–17:15–16 dorsal scale rows; 145–158 ventral scales; 8–11 pairs of subcaudals; dorsum uniform brown, anteriorly powdered with yellow mottling; venter brown, scales outlined with yellow. This endemic species with a restricted range is known only from atop Kolli Hill complex, inhabiting higher elevation (> 900m) evergreen forests, where it is the only known member of this genus. Allopatric species, endemism, isolated massif, Uropeltis rajendrani sp. nov., Western Ghats.

Detection of Cryptic taxa in the genus Leptophryne (Fitzinger, 1843) (Amphibia; Bufonidae) and the description of a new species from Java, Indonesia

We investigated phylogenetic relationships among populations of two species within the genus Leptophryne, L. cruentata and L. borbonica, using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. As a result, we identified two distinct lineages within populations currently considered Leptophryne cruentata: 1) a lineage containing L. cruentata from the type locality, and 2) a lineage from Mt. Slamet and Mt. Ciremai. On the basis of genetic and morphological differences, we describe the Mt. Slamet and Mt. Ciremai populations as a new species, L. javanica sp. nov. The new species is distinguished from L. cruentata and L. borbonica by the following combination of morphological characters: the presence of distinct yellow mottling on the dorsum; relatively small body size (SVL male 22.2–24.0 mm, female 29.6 mm); relatively short hindlimbs (HLL 37.0–40.9 mm); relatively short fourth toe (4ToeL 4.3–6.0 mm); basal webbing on the hands, but well developed on toes; very protruding snout and an indistinct tympanum. In our preliminary phylogenetic analysis, we also detected four distinct lineages within Leptophryne borbonica: 1) a lineage containing true L. borbonica from west Java, 2) a lineage from Lampung (Sumatra I), 3) a lineage from northern Borneo, and 4) a lineage from Bengkulu (Sumatra II). Further studies are needed to determine taxonomic status of these lineages.

Characterization of Canna yellow mottle virus in a New Host, Alpinia purpurata, in Hawaii

Canna yellow mottle virus (CaYMV) is an important badnavirus infecting Canna spp. worldwide. This is the first report of CaYMV in flowering ginger (Alpinia purpurata) in Hawaii, where it is associated with yellow mottling and necrosis of leaves, vein streaking, and stunted plants. We have sequenced CaYMV in A. purpurata (CaYMV-Ap) using a combination of next-generation sequencing and traditional Sanger sequencing techniques. The complete genome of CaYMV-Ap was 7,120 bp with an organization typical of other Badnavirus species. Our results indicated that CaYMV-Ap was present in the episomal form in infected flowering ginger. We determined that this virus disease is prevalent in Hawaii and could potentially have significant economic impact on the marketing of A. purpurata as cut flowers. There is a potential concern that the host range of CaYMV-Ap may expand to include other important tropical plants.

Identification of Pepper mild mottle virus in Commercial Bell Pepper in Florida

Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) has been identified on pepper in Florida several times since 1997. Initial observations were on ornamental peppers (Capsicum chinense, C. frutescens, and C. annuum). However, in the winter growing seasons of 1999 and 2000, PMMoV was detected in several bell pepper (C. annuum) cultivars in commercial production fields in south Florida. Symptoms in bell pepper plants were observed to vary with plant age and cultivar, and included stunting of young plants and puckering and yellow mottling of leaves. Fruit was deformed (lumpy and mottled) and slightly reduced in size. Older fruit exhibited brown streaks and, in some cultivars, an undesirable color at maturity. Incidence in commercial bell pepper fields varied from <1 to 30%. Symptoms on mechanically inoculated indicator hosts, analysis of viral-associated double-stranded RNA, and inclusion body morphology suggested the presence of a tobamovirus. PMMoV was specifically identified by serological testing using ELISA (Agdia, Elkhart, IN). To our knowledge, this is the first definitive identification of PMMoV (2) in Florida, although a prior isolation of the same or a similar virus was made in 1964 and reported as the Samsun latent strain of Tobacco mosaic virus (1). The occurrence of this seedborne virus in an area of intensive commercial pepper production requires careful monitoring to avoid future significant losses. References: (1) W. H. Greenleaf et al. Phytopathology 54:1367, 1964. (2) C. Wetter. Plant Dis. 68:597, 1984.

Mycovellosiella phaseoli. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

A description is provided for Mycovellosiella phaseoli. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOST: Phaseolus vulgaris, the french bean. DISEASE: Floury spot of bean or Mancha harinosa. The name derives from the white tufty growth of the fungus on the lower leaf surfaces. Yellowish spots develop on the leaves and in severe infections these appear as a yellow mottling. In old infections the spots become brown with a yellow margin. Infection is confined to the leaves and progresses upwards from the base where it can cause severe defoliation (37, 749). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Africa, Asia, Europe, South America (CMI Map No. 436, ed. 2, 1977). TRANSMISSION: By wind dispersal of air-borne conidia.

A New Virus Disease of Papaya (Carica papaya) in Puerto Rico

1. A mosaic virus disease of papaya (Carica papaya) causing yellow mottling, slight wrinkleness of the leaves, and oily spots on the stem but no extreme distortion and deformation of the leaves has been observed in the northwestern part of Puerto Rico near the town of Isabela. 2. The physical properties of the virus are: Thermal inactivation point, 60° C; dilution end-point, 1-100; and it is inactivated in about 72 hours at laboratory temperature (around 74° F.). The virus is not seed- nor soil-transmitted. 3. The virus has been transmitted mechanically thus far only to members of the family Cucurbitaceae belonging to the following genera: Cucumis, Luffa, Citrullus, Lagenaria and Melothria. It has not been possible to transmit mit the virus to plants of the following families: Solanaceae, Amaranthaceae, Phytolacaceae, Malvaceae, Balsaminaceae, Leguminoseae, Scrophulariaceae, Mimosaceae, and Cesalpinaceae. 4 Cross-protection tests have demonstrated that the Isabela mosaic and the Puerto Rican southern coast papaya mosaic viruses are related. 5. Preliminary experiments indicate that the Isabela mosaic virus may be transmitted by the nematode Trichodorus christiei. 6. The results of extensive inoculation trials have shown that Carica candamarcensis Hook, is resistant to the Isabela mosaic virus.