Multi-Locus Phylogenetic Analyses of the Almadablennius Clade Reveals Inconsistencies with the Present Taxonomy of Blenniid Fishes

We used a multi-locus phylogenetic approach (i.e., combining both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA fragments) to address some long-standing taxonomic inconsistencies within the diverse fish clade of Combtooth Blennies (Blenniidae—unranked clade Almadablennius). The obtained phylogenetic trees revealed some major inconsistencies in the current taxonomy of Parablennini, such as the paraphyletic status of the Salaria and Parablennius genera, casting some doubt regarding their actual phylogenetic relationship. Furthermore, a scarce-to-absent genetic differentiation was observed among the three species belonging to the genus Chasmodes. This study provides an updated taxonomy and phylogeny of the former genus Salaria, ascribing some species to the new genus Salariopsis gen. nov., and emphasizes the need for a revision of the genus Parablennius.

Review of the inquilinous fauna associated with insect galls in Brazilian restingas

Several records of associated fauna, including parasitoids, inquilines, predators, and successors, have been reported by insect gall inventories in Brazilian restingas. Although most guilds are well established, inquilines have frequently been misinterpreted. In this paper, the inquilinous fauna of insect galls is revised based on five criteria: food habit; coexistence with the inducer; modification of gall tissues or production of new tissues; phylogenetic relationship with the inducer; and mobility. Gall inventories dated from 1988 to 2019 were examined, totaling 16 publications, eight of them with inquiline records. This guild was reported in 53 gall morphotypes in 44 plant species and four morphospecies distributed among 36 genera of 24 host families for a total of 65 records. Most inquilines were repositioned into the cecidophage guild and others into the kleptoparasite guild, resulting in a large reduction in the frequency of inquilines (from 65 to five records), and in first reports of cecidophages and kleptoparasites, with 46 and 13 records, respectively. Cecidophage was the most diverse guild with insects of five orders (Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Thysanoptera) while kleptoparasites were represented only by two orders (Diptera and Hymenoptera) and inquiline solely by Hymenoptera. Other results indicate that Leptothorax sp. (Formicidae) could be a successor and not an inquiline.

An Intriguing New Species of Sanchezia (Acanthaceae) from Southeastern Peru

Abstract— Sanchezia dubia is described and illustrated as a new species from the department of Madre de Dios in southeastern Peru. Its morphology slightly resembles Sanchezia sprucei, but its most remarkable feature is its close similarity to Suessenguthia, even more so than to those of its own genus. This new species is distinguished from others by its glabrous stem and leaves, its inflorescence containing two to five serial cymose heads, which are sessile to short-pedunculate, with mostly two to four flowers each (occasionally one), its inner bracts ranging in length between 6 and 23 mm, and its androecium composed of two stamens and two mucronate staminodes. We suggest it is an endangered species based on its restricted geographic distribution, its few known populations, and the increasing threats to its habitats. Along with Suessenguthia koessleri, this new species seems to be a key taxon to understanding the phylogenetic relationship between these two genera, which is still uncertain. Additionally, we provide a key to identify the Sanchezia and Suessenguthia species of the Madre de Dios River basin from southern Peru to northern Bolivia.

Genomic comparison and phenotypic profiling of small colony variants of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei) is an intracellular pathogen that causes melioidosis, a life-threatening infection in humans. The bacterium is able to form small colony variants (SCVs) as part of the adaptive features in response to environmental stress. In this study, we characterize the genomic characteristics, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and metabolic phenotypes of B. pseudomallei SCV and wild type (WT) strains. Whole-genome sequence analysis was performed to characterize the genomic features of two SCVs (CS and OS) and their respective parental WT strains (CB and OB). Phylogenetic relationship between the four draft genomes in this study and 19 publicly available genomes from various countries was determined. The four draft genomes showed a close phylogenetic relationship with other genomes from Southeast Asia. Broth microdilution and phenotype microarray were conducted to determine the AMR profiles and metabolic features (carbon utilization, osmolytes sensitivity, and pH conditions) of all strains. The SCV strains exhibited identical AMR phenotype with their parental WT strains. A limited number of AMR-conferring genes were identified in the B. pseudomallei genomes. The SCVs and their respective parental WT strains generally shared similar carbon-utilization profiles, except for D,L-carnitine (CS), g-hydroxybutyric acid (OS), and succinamic acid (OS) which were utilized by the SCVs only. No difference was observed in the osmolytes sensitivity of all strains. In comparison, WT strains were more resistant to alkaline condition, while SCVs showed variable growth responses at higher acidity. Overall, the genomes of the colony morphology variants of B. pseudomallei were largely identical, and the phenotypic variations observed among the different morphotypes were strain-specific.

Comparative leaf morphology and anatomy on ten taxa of Calycanthaceae Lindl. (Laurales)

The comparative leaf morphology and anatomy of ten species of family Calycanthaceae have been studied. Leaf anatomy is very comparable to each other in cell shape and their arrangement. Collected leaves were preserved in FAA and alcohol series were applied for LM and SEM. The layer of epidermis is two in Idiospermum and one in rest of other genera. The structure of vascular bundle is V-shape in Sinocalycanthus and Calycanthus whereas U-shape in Idiospermum and Chimonanthus. The density of trichome is higher in Calycanthus than other genera. The presence of trichome, stomata, epidermal layer, density of trichome and stomata, and leaf surface are represented the distinction among the genera. The adaxial surface of Idiospermum and Sinocalycanthus are smooth whereas of Calycanthus and Chimonanthus are rough. The crystals are present in Calycanthus, Sinocalycanthus and Chimonanthus whereas absent in Idiospermum. The shape of the vascular bundle, density of trichome, epidermal layer, and crystals play important role in the phylogenetic relationship of Calycanthaceae.

Lemnaceae and Orontiaceae Are Phylogenetically and Morphologically Distinct from Araceae

Duckweeds comprise a distinctive clade of pleustophytic monocots that traditionally has been classified as the family Lemnaceae. However, molecular evidence has called into question their phylogenetic independence, with some authors asserting instead that duckweeds should be reclassified as subfamily Lemnoideae of an expanded family Araceae. Although a close phylogenetic relationship of duckweeds with traditional Araceae has been supported by multiple studies, the taxonomic disposition of duckweeds must be evaluated more critically to promote nomenclatural stability and utility. Subsuming duckweeds as a morphologically incongruent lineage of Araceae effectively eliminates the family category of Lemnaceae that has been widely used for many years. Instead, we suggest that Araceae subfamily Orontioideae should be restored to family status as Orontiaceae, which thereby would enable the recognition of three morphologically and phylogenetically distinct lineages: Araceae, Lemnaceae, and Orontiaceae.

First Genomic Evidence of Dual African Swine Fever Virus Infection: Case Report from Recent and Historical Outbreaks in Sardinia

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is one of the pathogens of highest concern worldwide. Despite different virus lineages co-circulating in several areas, dual infections in the same animal have been rarely observed, suggesting that ASF superinfections are infrequent events. Here we present the first genome-wide detection and analysis of two intragenotype dual ASFV infections. The dual infections have been detected in a hunted wild boar and in a pig carcass, both infected by ASFV genotype I in Sardinia in 1984 and 2018, respectively. We characterize the genetic differences between the two sequences, their intra-host frequency, and their phylogenetic relationship among fully sequenced ASFV strains from Sardinia. Both dual infections involve pairs of closely related but different viruses that were circulating in Sardinia in the same period. The results imply that dual ASFV infections or similar ASFV strains are more common than expected, especially in ASF endemic areas, albeit difficult to detect.

Additions to Occultibambusaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes): Unrevealing Palmicolous Fungi in China

During a survey of microfungi associated with palms from karst formations, three novel ascomycetes were found from decaying petioles of Trachycarpus fortunei (Arecaceae) in Guizhou, China. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses based on a combined SSU, ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TEF1α sequence data showed that these collections were affiliated to Brunneofusispora and Neooccultibambusa in the family Occultibambusaceae. A new species Brunneofusispora inclinatiostiola is introduced. It is phylogenetically close to B. clematidis but represents a distinct lineage. Morphologically, it differs from the latter in having immersed ascomata with eccentric, periphysate ostiole and smaller ascospores. Morpho-phylogenetic evidence also revealed two new Neooccultibambusa species, N. kaiyangensis and N. trachycarpi. Together with the generic type N. chiangraiensis, they formed a distinct lineage within the genus Neooccultibambusa. Three novel palmicolous fungi of Occultibambusaceae are described, illustrated and notes on their identification are provided. The ecological significance of the new taxa and the phylogenetic relationship of genera in Occultibambusaceae is discussed.