Three new species Karanasa naumanni sp. nov., K. pardesi sp. nov. and K. pseudopamira sp. nov. (Nymphalidae), two new subspecies Karanasa pamira biocellata subsp. nov. (Nymphalidae) and Plebejus (Afarsia) sieversii albolunulatus subsp. nov. (Lycaenidae) are described from Afghanistan. First occurrence records for this country are presented for 26 species: one species of Pieridae (Colias thisoa), fifteen species of Lycaenidae (Deudoryx epijarbas, Everes dipora, Glaucopsyche charybdis, Hyrcanana evansii, Iolana gigantea, Lycaena kasyapa, Plebejus ferganus, Polyommatus amandus, P. dagmara, P. farazi, P. kogistanus, P. lehanus armatheus, P. miris, P. selma, and Turanana panaegides,) and ten species of Nymphalidae (Argynnis jainadeva, Coenonympha nolckeni, Hyponephele maureri, Melitaea balbina, Karanasa grumi, K. incerta, K. leechi, K. maureri, Satyrus alaica, and S. ferula).

• MeSH
• Heteroptera MeSH
• Butterflies * MeSH
• Environment MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Afghanistan MeSH

• MeSH
• Bacteria classification   MeSH
• Classification MeSH

Melissopalynology is an important analytical method to identify botanical origin of honey. Pollen grain recognition is commonly performed by visual inspection by a trained person. An alternative method for visual inspection is automated pollen analysis based on the image analysis technique. Image analysis transfers visual information to mathematical descriptions. In this work, the suitability of three microscopic techniques for automatic analysis of pollen grains was studied. 2D and 3D morphological characteristics, textural and colour features, and extended depth of focus characteristics were used for the pollen discrimination. In this study, 7 botanical taxa and a total of 2482 pollen grains were evaluated. The highest correct classification rate of 93.05% was achieved using the phase contrast microscopy, followed by the dark field microscopy reaching 91.02%, and finally by the light field microscopy reaching 88.88%. The most significant discriminant characteristics were morphological (2D and 3D) and colour characteristics. Our results confirm the potential of using automatic pollen analysis to discriminate pollen taxa in honey. This work provides the basis for further research where the taxa dataset will be increased, and new descriptors will be studied.

• MeSH
• Color MeSH
• Honey analysis   MeSH
• Microscopy methods   MeSH
• Image Processing, Computer-Assisted methods   MeSH
• Pollen classification   MeSH
• Beekeeping * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

The Pleuroascaceae (Leotiomycetes) is introduced for Phialophora hyalina (section Catenulatae) and its closest relatives based on analyses of DNA sequences of five gene regions and the comparison of cultural and micromorphological characters. The family is resolved as a strongly supported clade that encompasses Pleuroascus and the new anamorph genera Entimomentora and Venustampulla. The latter includes V. parva, a species placed formerly in Scopulariopsis, and V. echinocandica, which is established for the echinocandin-producing isolate BP-5553. Entimomentora includes E. hyalina, a species based on the ex-type strain of Ph. hyalina. Additional isolates identified as Ph. hyalina are distantly related to the Pleuroacaceae and include Psychrophila antarctica (Arachnopezizaceae) and Cryonesomyces dreyfussii, the sole member of the new genus Cryonesomyces (incertae sedis). Isolates identified or deposited as Ph. alba are also not closely related; they include a species for which we propose the name Neobulgaria koningiana (Gelatinodiscaceae) and a second psychrophilic species that we describe as Psychrophila lagodekhiensis. Of the 13 isolates assessed for in vitro antifungal activity, only V. echinocandica inhibited the growth of Candida albicans.

• MeSH
• Antifungal Agents analysis   pharmacology   MeSH
• DNA, Fungal chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Fungal genetics   MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• Genes, rRNA MeSH
• Mass Spectrometry MeSH
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
• Microbiological Techniques * MeSH
• Microscopy * MeSH
• Phialophora classification   genetics   growth & development   MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 18S genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 28S genetics   MeSH
• RNA Polymerase II genetics   MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
• Cluster Analysis MeSH
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

A single ovigerous female specimen of marine shrimp of the family Palaemonidae collected from Madang Province, N.E. Papua New Guinea, was recognized as a representative of a new genus and species. Due to the presence of a sternal thoracic process, 3 pairs of posterior telson cuspidate setae, and the simple ambulatory dactyli, as well as the lack of branchiae on the two posterior maxillipeds, the new species clearly belongs to the assemblage of primarily free-living palaemonid taxa surrounding the speciose genera Cuapetes and Palaemonella. As the specimen possesses a short leaf-like rostrum, slender second pereiopods with small chelae similar to and not noticeably longer than the first pereiopods and very slender simple ambulatory dactyli, the specimen is without parallel within this assemblage and clearly represents a new genus. Its position within the Cuapetes/Palaemonella lineage of genera is also confirmed by a molecular comparison. The specimen is described and illustrated as a new genus and species.

• MeSH
• Palaemonidae * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Papua New Guinea MeSH

Two new genera, Rhamphoriopsis and Xylolentia, are described for lignicolous perithecial ascomycetes occurring in terrestrial habitats. Fresh material, living cultures, morphology, and DNA sequence data (nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacers [ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS], 18S and 28S genes, and second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II = RPB2) of these taxa and morphologically similar fungi were studied to determine their relationships. A monophyletic clade including Rhamphoria, Rhodoveronaea, a dematiaceous hyphomycete Linkosia multiseptum, and the two new genera was recovered in the Sordariomycetes based on the 18S-28S-RPB2 data set. It is introduced as the family Rhamphoriaceae and strongly supported by Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods. Its members are characterized by perithecial ascomata with a cylindrical or rostrate neck, the absence of stromatic tissue or clypeus, similar anatomy of two-layered ascomatal walls, cylindrical paraphyses, unitunicate asci with a distinct, nonamyloid apical annulus, and dictyoseptate or transversely septate, hyaline or brown ascospores. The mode of conidiogenesis is holoblastic, predominantly on polyblastic-denticulate conidiogenous cells. The Phaeoisaria-like anamorph has been linked to Rhamphoria and Rhamphoriopsis, whereas conidia and conidiophores of Idriella-like synanamorph were formed in vitro in two species of Rhamphoria. The Veronaea-like anamorph is associated with Rhodoveronaea. The anamorph of Xylolentia is a dematiaceous hyphomycete with conidiogenous cells with sympodially extending rachis. A key to members of the family is provided. The classification and nature of species boundaries in Rhamphoria are discussed, and diagnostic characters such as ascospore shape, number of transverse and longitudinal septa, a degree of constriction at the septa, and ability to produce ascoconidia are evaluated.

• MeSH
• Ascomycota classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Bayes Theorem MeSH
• DNA, Fungal genetics   MeSH
• Ecosystem MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• Multigene Family MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal MeSH
• RNA Polymerase II genetics   MeSH
• Base Sequence MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
• Spores, Fungal classification   MeSH
• Xylariales genetics   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Fossil cephalopods are frequently encrusted by epibionts; however, determining whether encrustation occurred prior to or post-mortem to the host, and whether the final environment of deposition corresponds to the habitat of encrustation is complex. The present paper describes cirripede epibionts, their calcareous bases and their attachment scars on 6 post-mortem shells of Nautilus macromphalus, collected from deep water off New Caledonia. The cirripedes have left both cemented calcareous bases of Hexelasma and scars associated with bioerosion and discoloration produced by verrucomorph barnacles. Live cirripedes included a Metaverruca recta, with articulated opercular plates and organic tissue (on a shell that had been exposed on the sea floor for at least 150 years), and specimens of Hexelasma velutinum, one of which was partly attached to an internal surface of a shell. The disposition of verrucomorphs indicates that most Nautilus shells were colonized post-mortem rather than during a floating stage. However, as cirripedes are known to have colonized living Nautilus, some Hexelasma, preserved only as calcareous eroded bases, may represent specimens that settled on a living Nautilus. The degree of bioerosion and discoloration induced by verrucomorph barnacles varies according to the surface preservation of Nautilus shells, with deeper and discolored traces preserved on old and degraded shells. Traces made by verrucomorphs described here are ellipsoidal and a new ichnotaxon, Anellusichnus ellipticus, is proposed to accommodate them. Importantly, verrucomorphs and other cirripede taxa with membranous bases that were attached to pristine shells may not leave any substantial scars, and, thus, will be difficult to detect in the fossil record.

• MeSH
• Crustacea classification   physiology   MeSH
• Nautilus * MeSH
• Animal Shells * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• New Caledonia MeSH
• Pacific Ocean MeSH

Two new genera (Streptosarcina and Streptofilum) and three new species (Streptosarcina arenaria, S. costaricana and Streptofilum capillatum) of streptophyte algae were detected in cultures isolated from terrestrial habitats of Europe and Central America and described using an integrative approach. Additionally, a strain isolated from soil in North America was identified as Hormidiella parvula and proposed as an epitype of this species. The molecular phylogeny based on 18S rRNA and rbcL genes, secondary structure of ITS-2, as well as the morphology of vegetative and reproductive stages, cell ultrastructure, ecology and distribution of the investigated strains were assessed. The new genus Streptosarcina forms a sister lineage to the genus Hormidiella (Klebsormidiophyceae). Streptosarcina is characterized by packet-like (sarcinoid) and filamentous thalli with true branching and a cell organization typical for Klebsormidiophyceae. Streptofilum forms a separate lineage within Streptophyta. This genus represents an easily disintegrating filamentous alga which exhibits a cell coverage of unique structure: layers of submicroscopic scales of piliform shape covering the plasmalemma and exfoliate inside the mucilage envelope surrounding cells. The implications of the discovery of the new taxa for understanding evolutionary tendencies in the Streptophyta, a group of great evolutionary interest, are discussed.

• MeSH
• DNA, Plant chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• Ecosystem * MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• Nucleic Acid Conformation MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal Spacer chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• Microscopy MeSH
• Soil Microbiology MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 18S genetics   MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
• Cluster Analysis MeSH
• Streptophyta classification   genetics   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Microscopy, Electron, Transmission MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH
• North America MeSH
• Central America MeSH

Food preferences and exploitation are crucial to many aspects of avian ecology and are of increasing importance as we progress in our understanding of community ecology. We studied birds and their feeding specialization in the Central Range of Papua New Guinea, at eight study sites along a complete (200 to 3700 m a.s.l.) rainforest elevational gradient. The relative species richness and abundance increased with increasing elevation for insect and nectar eating birds, and decreased with elevation for fruit feeding birds. Using emetic tartar, we coerced 999 individuals from 99 bird species to regurgitate their stomach contents and studied these food samples. The proportion of arthropods in food samples increased with increasing elevation at the expense of plant material. Body size of arthropods eaten by birds decreased with increasing elevation. This reflected the parallel elevational trend in the body size of arthropods available in the forest understory. Body size of insectivorous birds was significantly positively correlated with the body size of arthropods they ate. Coleoptera were the most exploited arthropods, followed by Araneae, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera. Selectivity indexes showed that most of the arthropod taxa were taken opportunistically, reflecting the spatial patterns in arthropod abundances to which the birds were exposed.

• MeSH
• Birds physiology   MeSH
• Feeding Behavior physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
• Geographicals
• Papua New Guinea MeSH

The genus Arthrospira has a long history of being used as a food source in different parts of the world. Its mass cultivation for production of food supplements and additives has contributed to a more detailed study of several species of this genus. In contrast, the type species of the genus (A. jenneri), has scarcely been studied. This work adopts a polyphasic approach to thoroughly investigate environmental samples of A. jenneri, whose persistent bloom was noticed in an urban reservoir in Poland, Central Europe. The obtained results were compared with strains designated as A. platensis, A. maxima, and A. fusiformis from several culture collections and other Arthrospira records from GenBank. The comparison has shown that A. jenneri differs from popular species that are massively utilized commercially with regard to its cell morphology, ultrastructure and ecology, as well as its 16S rRNA gene sequence. Based on our findings, we propose the establishment of a new genus, Limnospira, which currently encompasses three species including the massively produced L. (A.) fusiformis and L. (A.) maxima with the type species Limnospira fusiformis.

• MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics   MeSH
• Cyanobacteria genetics   MeSH
• Spirulina classification   genetics   physiology   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Poland MeSH