Notes on distribution of Bombus cryptarum (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in Moravian territory (Czech Republic) and its laboratory rearing

B. cryptarum and B. magnus are among the so-called cryptic species whose identification is very difficult due to high interspecific variability of their morphological characteristics. This greatly limits possibilities for studying their biology, bionomics and ecology. The aim of this research was to contribute to knowledge about distribution of B. cryptarum in Moravia (Czech Republic) and to verify the possibility of its laboratory rearing. During 2006–2009, 26 collections were performed at Moravian localities. Of the 17 specimens that were assigned to B. cryptarum or B. aff. cryptarum based on morphology, the molecular analysis of mtDNA RFLP confirmed the identification of 10 speciemens. The molecular analysis even assigned to B. cryptarum one specimen determined morphologically as B. aff. magnus. Of four queens captured in spring, and while applying a laboratory method used for breeding of B. terrestris, two complete nests were successfully reared, including queens of the 2nd generation that then set up their own brood. Species identification of these queens as B. cryptarum was confirmed by both molecular analysis and analysis of the marking pheromones of males among their offspring. A single B. terrestris worker was able to raise young queens of B. cryptarum of the brood.

Convergent adaptation to a marginal habitat by homoploid hybrids and polyploid ecads in the seaweed genus Fucus

Hybridization and polyploidy are two major sources of genetic variability that can lead to adaptation in new habitats. Most species of the brown algal genus Fucus are found along wave-swept rocky shores of the Northern Hemisphere, but some species have adapted to brackish and salt marsh habitats. Using five microsatellite loci and mtDNA RFLP, we characterize two populations of morphologically similar, muscoides-like Fucus inhabiting salt marshes in Iceland and Ireland. The Icelandic genotypes were consistent with Fucus vesiculosus × Fucus spiralis F 1 hybrids with asymmetrical hybridization, whereas the Irish ones consisted primarily of polyploid F. vesiculosus .

Surface Microflora of Four Smear-Ripened Cheeses

ABSTRACT The microbial composition of smear-ripened cheeses is not very clear. A total of 194 bacterial isolates and 187 yeast isolates from the surfaces of four Irish farmhouse smear-ripened cheeses were identified at the midpoint of ripening using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), repetitive sequence-based PCR, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing for identifying and typing the bacteria and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (mtDNA RFLP) analysis for identifying and typing the yeast. The yeast microflora was very uniform, and Debaryomyces hansenii was the dominant species in the four cheeses. Yarrowia lipolytica was also isolated in low numbers from one cheese. The bacteria were highly diverse, and 14 different species, Corynebacterium casei, Corynebacterium variabile, Arthrobacter arilaitensis, Arthrobacter sp., Microbacterium gubbeenense, Agrococcus sp. nov., Brevibacterium linens, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus equorum, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Micrococcus luteus, Halomonas venusta, Vibrio sp., and Bacillus sp., were identified on the four cheeses. Each cheese had a more or less unique microflora with four to nine species on its surface. However, two bacteria, C. casei and A. arilaitensis, were found on each cheese. Diversity at the strain level was also observed, based on the different PFGE patterns and mtDNA RFLP profiles of the dominant bacterial and yeast species. None of the ripening cultures deliberately inoculated onto the surface were reisolated from the cheeses. This study confirms the importance of the adventitious, resident microflora in the ripening of smear cheeses.

Differentiation of the sudden death syndrome pathogen of soybean, Fusarium solani f.sp. glycines, from other isolates of F. solani based on cultural morphology, pathogenicity, and mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms

Forty-four isolates consisting of Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. f.sp. glycines Roy, Fusarium solani f.sp. phaseoli (Burkholder) W.C. Snyder & H.N. Hans., and F. solani, collected from a variety of hosts and locations, were compared based on pathogenicity on soybean and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). The 24 isolates of F. solani f.sp. glycines caused more severe sudden death syndrome (SDS) foliar symptoms and root rot on soybean compared with all other isolates. All isolates of F. solani f.sp. glycines belonged to a single mtDNA RFLP haplotype. The other isolates of F. solani belonged to nine mtDNA RFLP haplotypes distinct from that of the SDS pathogen and did not cause significant levels of SDS. Three isolates of F. solani f.sp. phaseoli in a single mtDNA RFLP haplotype were very similar to isolates of F. solani f.sp. glycines in culture. One of these isolates consistently produced SDS-like symptoms in pathogenicity tests, although at a low frequency. Fusarium solani f.sp. glycines represent a genetically distinct subgroup within F. solani but may be related to F. solani f.sp. phaseoli.Key words: Fusarium solani f.sp. phaseoli, Glycine max, sudden death syndrome (SDS), mtDNA.