Molecular phylogeny and diversity of Laburnicola (Didymosphaeriaceae): a new species from Uzbekistan

Laburnicola is a genus in Didymosphaeriaceae that includes saprobic and endophytic fungal taxa. The current study conducted in the subalpine region of Uzbekistan discovered a new species on a dead stem of a wild rose plant. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS, and TEF 1-ɑ dataset confirmed the new species’ taxonomic position in Laburnicola. Our new species, Laburnicola zaaminensis (TASM 6152), was clustered with L. dactylidis (MFLUCC 16-0285) with strong bootstrap support. A detailed description together with illustrations are provided for Laburnicola zaaminensis. Furthermore, an annotated species list, a distribution map, and a taxonomic key for Laburnicola species are provided. This is the first record of Laburnicola from Central Asia.

Taxonomic notes on the Australian skyhopper genus Kosciuscola Sjöstedt (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oxyinae)

The Australian skyhopper genus Kosciuscola Sjöstedt consists of brachypterous species that inhabit the Australian alpine and subalpine region. The genus used to include 5 species and 1 subspecies, but according to a recent phylogenomic study, there could be as many as 14 species in the genus, that are genetically and geographically isolated from each other. This study represents the first step in describing and documenting the diversity of this interesting genus. In this study, we redefine the type species K. tristis, and elevate its subspecies K. tristis restrictus as a valid species on the basis of distinct morphological traits, geographical isolation, and phylogenomic evidence.

Study of in-vitro Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Cow Urine from Different Altitudinal and Climatic Region of Nepal

Background: Cow urine has been widely used as therapeutic or additive agents in different parts of Nepal, mainly to treat infections, cuts, burns, etc. Cow urine has been considered as sacred and holy water and used in many rituals and worshipping purposes. Apart from therapeutic and rituals ceremony cow urines are also used in purification and disinfecting the houses. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the in-vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity of cow urine from different altitudes across Nepal. Materials and Methods: Antioxidant activity of cow urines was carried out by using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as free radicals. The antibacterial activity of cow urines was tested by the agar disc diffusion method against Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive). Results: The urine sample from Muktinath (Subalpine region) showed the highest 44.8±0.21% inhibition against DPPH free radicals. The urine samples from Jajarkot and Marpha (Temperate zone) showed 39.70±0.43% and 37.30±0.15% inhibition against DPPH free radicals respectively. The urine samples from Palpa and Shyangja (Subtropical region) showed 30.00±0.24 and 34.4±0.01 percent inhibition of DPPH radicals. The samples from Butwal and Dhangadhi (Tropical region) showed the least percentage inhibition of 23.9±0.08 and 21.12±0.1 respectively. Amongst the entire sample, the subalpine region of cow urine (Muktinath 3710m) made known the highest inhibition zone such as 10.56±0.05mm against S. aureus and 7.46±0.15 against E.coli. Conclusion: Our study has concluded that cow urines have the antibacterial and antioxidant activities and vary in potency according to altitudinal and climatic differences. Hence cow urine from the subalpine zone has better antibacterial and antioxidant activity than that of lower altitudinal climatic zones.

Current Status of Rare and Interesting Genus Mylia Gray in India with an Account of M. taylorii (Hook.) Gray

Mylia taylorii (Hook.) Gray, a rare taxon has been collected from Singalila National Park, Darjeeling (West Bengal), in the subalpine region, on way to Phalut from Sandakphu (ca 3657 m). A detailed morpho-taxonomic and illustrated account of the Indian plants is provided.

Fine Root Dynamics in Three Forest Types with Different Origins in a Subalpine Region of the Eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Fine roots play a crucial role in plant survival potential and biogeochemical cycles of forest ecosystems. Subalpine areas of the Eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau have experienced different forest re-establishment methods after clear-cutting primary forest. However, little is known about fine root dynamics of these forests originating from artificial, natural and their combined processes. Here, we determined fine root traits (biomass, production and turnover rate) of three subalpine forest types, i.e., Picea asperata Mast. plantation forest (artificial planting, PF), natural secondary forest (natural without assisted regeneration, NF) and P. asperata broadleaved mixed forest (natural regeneration after artificial planting, MF) composed of planted P. asperata and naturally regenerated native broadleaved species. At the soil depth of 0–30 cm, fine root biomass was the highest in PF and fine root production was the highest in NF, and both were the lowest in MF. Fine root dynamics of the three forest types tended to decrease with soil depth, with larger variations in PF. Fine root biomass and production were the highest in PF in 0–10 cm soil layer but were not significantly different among forest types in the lower soil layers. There were positive correlations between these parameters and aboveground biomass across forest types in soil layer of 0–10 cm, but not in the lower soil layers. Fine root turnover rate was generally higher in mixed forests than in monocultures at all soil depths. In conclusion, the natural regeneration procedure after clear-cutting in the subalpine region of western Sichuan seems to be superior from the perspective of fine root dynamics.