Combination Of Morphological Characters Research Articles

Morphological and molecular identification for four new wood-inhabiting species of Trechispora (Basidiomycota) from China

Four new wood-inhabiting fungi, Trechispora albofarinosa, T. bisterigmata, T. pileata and T. wenshanensisspp. nov., are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Trechispora albofarinosa is characterized by the farinose basidiomata with flocculence hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and ellipsoid, warted basidiospores. Trechispora bisterigmata is characterized by the membranous basidiomata with odontioid hymenial surface, rhizomorphic sterile margin, barrelled basidia and subglobose to broad ellipsoid, smooth basidiospores. Trechispora pileata is characterized by the laterally contracted base, solitary or imbricate basidiomata, fan shaped pileus, radially striate-covered surface with appressed scales, odontioid hymenophore surface, and subglobose to broad ellipsoid, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores. Trechispora wenshanensis is characterized by a cottony basidiomata with a smooth hymenial surface, and ellipsoid, thin-walled, warted basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and LSU marker of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with the maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS+nLSU sequences highlighted that four new species were grouped into the genus Trechispora.

Another new micro-endemic, limestone-dwelling leaf-toed gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from Phetchaburi Province, western Thailand

We describe Dixonius chotjuckdikuli sp. nov. from Khao Ebid (Mount Ibit), Khao Yoi District, Phetchaburi Province, western Thailand. The new, limestone-dwelling species differs from all currently recognized species of Dixonius by the following combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known snout-vent length of 45.6 mm, 18 (rarely 16) longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 31 to 34 paravertebral scales; 18 (rarely 16) longitudinal rows of ventral scales across the abdomen; 20 to 22 interciliary scales; 5 or 6 precloacal pores in males, no pores in females; a marked canthal stripe extending beyond the shoulder; and a blotched dorsal pattern in males, females and juveniles. This description brings the number of Dixonius species to 17, among which seven species are endemic to Thailand.

Description of a new species of Cottus Linnaeus (Cottidae) from the Western Dvina / Daugava River system, Baltic Sea basin, based on integrative taxonomy

In the genus Cottus (family Cottidae), 72 species are known. Of these, 37 species are found in North America, 17 in Asia, and 18 in Europe. Over the past 18 years, nine new species have been described from Western and Central Europe, two from Eastern part of this continent. Also, the validity of two Eastern European species was confirmed. In the Western Dvina / Daugava River system (Baltic Sea basin), Cottus dorofeevi sp. nov. was found. To describe this species, an integrative approach was used that combines morphological and molecular methods. The new species differs from other species of the genus Cottus by a combination of morphological characters. Taxonomically the most conspicuous features are: flattened shape of head; long pelvic fins (reaching anus); incomplete trunk canal of lateral line with 25-27 pores; presence of melanophores on ventral side of body and fins. Genetically, C. dorofeevi sp. nov. is sister to C. koshewnikowi. Haplotypes (CR) of C. dorofeevi sp. nov. are differentiated from haplotypes of other European species of the genus Cottus by genetic distances between 1.3% and 3%.

Morpho-molecular study of entomopathogenic fungi associated with citrus orchard pests in Northern Iran.

Entomopathogenic fungi play a significant role in regulating insect populations in nature and have potential applications in pest management strategies in different regions. Citrus spp. are among the important horticultural products in northern Iran, and the orchards are affected by different insect pests, especially mealybugs. This study aimed to isolate and identify entomopathogenic fungi associated with citrus orchard pests in northern Iran, focusing on Akanthomyces and Lecanicillium species on mealybugs. Through the samples collected from different regions within Guilan province, 12 fungal isolates were collected and identified based on the combination of morphological characteristics and molecular data. Akanthomyces lecanii, A. muscarius, Engyodontium rectidentatum, Lecanicillium aphanocladii and Lecanicillium rasoulzarei sp. nov. were identified. Of these, A. muscarius on Lepidosaphes sp., E. rectidentatum on Coccidae, and L. aphanocladii on Tetranychus urticae are reported as new fungal-host records from Iran. Moreover, a new species, Lecanicillium rasoulzarei, is illustrated, described, and compared with closely related species.

Origin and Early Evolution of Hydrocharitaceae and the Ancestral Role of Stratiotes.

The combined morphological features of Stratiotes (Hydrocharitaceae) pollen, observed with light and electron microscopy, make it unique among all angiosperm pollen types and easy to identify. Unfortunately, the plant is (and most likely was) insect-pollinated and produces relatively few pollen grains per flower, contributing to its apparent absence in the paleopalynological record. Here, we present fossil Stratiotes pollen from the Eocene of Germany (Europe) and Kenya (Africa), representing the first reliable pre-Pleistocene pollen records of this genus worldwide and the only fossils of this family discovered so far in Africa. The fossil Stratiotes pollen grains are described and compared to pollen from a single modern species, Stratiotes aloides L. The paleophytogeographic significance and paleoecological aspects of these findings are discussed in relation to the Hydrocharitaceae fossil records and molecular phylogeny, as well as the present-day distribution patterns of its modern genera.

Another new species of karst-associated pitviper (Serpentes, Viperidae: Trimeresurus) from the Isthmus of Kra, Peninsular Thailand

We describe a new species of karst-dwelling pitviper from Chumphon Province of Peninsular Thailand, in the Isthmus of Kra, based on morphological and molecular data (2427 bp from cyt b, ND4 and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes). Morphologically, Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov. is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: a dark/bottle-green dorsum with reddish-brown or purple crossbands; pale green venter lacking dark dots; stripes present on the lateral sides of the ventrals; internasals generally in contact; one large supraocular scale on each side of the head; iris pale copper; tail brown with dark purplish-brown crossbars; dorsal scales in 21–21–15 rows; ventral scales 167 in a single male, 169–171 in females; subcaudal scales 62 in a single male, 52–54 in females, all paired. White vertebral spots present in males, located on approximately every two or four dorsal scales; dark brown spots forming discontinuous pattern present on 1–3 lateral dorsal scale rows; males with reddish-brown postocular stripe with jagged edges. The new species differs from the morphologically similar species Trimeresurus venustus s. str. by a notable divergence in cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (p = 5.9%).

Hybridization and introgression events in cooccurring populations of closely related grasses (Poaceae: Stipa) in high mountain steppes of Central Asia.

Stipa is a genus comprising ca. 150 species found in warm temperate regions of the Old World and around 30% of its representatives are of hybrid origin. In this study, using integrative taxonomy approach, we tested the hypothesis that hybridization and introgression are the explanations of the morphological intermediacy in species belonging to Stipa sect. Smirnovia, one of the species-rich sections in the mountains of Central Asia. Two novel nothospecies, S. magnifica × S. caucasica subsp. nikolai and S. lingua × S. caucasica subsp. nikolai, were identified based on a combination of morphological characters and SNPs markers. SNPs marker revealed that all S. lingua × S. caucasica samples were F1 hybrids, whereas most of S. magnifica × S. caucasica samples were backcross hybrids. Furthermore, the above mentioned hybrids exhibit transgressive morphological characters to each of their parental species. These findings have implications for understanding the process of hybridization in the genus Stipa, particularly in the sect. Smirnovia. As a taxonomic conclusion, we describe the two new nothospecies S. × muksuensis (from Tajikistan) and S. × ochyrae (from Kyrgyzstan) and present an identification key to species morphologically similar to the taxa mentioned above.

Multi-Locus Phylogeny and Morphology Reveal Two New Species of Hypoxylon (Hypoxylaceae, Xylariales) from Motuo, China.

Hypoxylaceous fungi are abundant in China, but their discovery and report are uneven in various provinces, with more fungi in Yunnan and Hainan and fewer fungi in Tibet. During the investigation of macro-fungi in Motuo county, Tibet Autonomous Region, we collected a number of xylarialean specimens. Six hypoxylaceous specimens growing on dead angiosperm were collected from the forests of Motuo county, and they were described and illustrated as two new species in Hypoxylon based on a combination of morphological characters and molecular evidence. Hypoxylon diperithecium was characterized by its bistratal perithecia, purple-brown stromatal granules, citrine to rust KOH-extractable pigments, and light brown to brown ascospores ellipsoid-inequilateral with conspicuous coil-like ornamentation. Hypoxylon tibeticum was distinct from other species by having pulvinate and applanate stromata, surface vinaceous, with orange granules, orange KOH-extractable pigments, and brown ascospores with inconspicuous ornamentation. The multi-gene phylogenetic analyses (ITS-LSU-RPB2-TUB) supported the two new taxa as separate lineages in the genus Hypoxylon. A key to all known Hypoxylon taxa from China is provided.

Taxonomic review of the Calotesversicolor complex (Agamidae, Sauria, Squamata) in China, with description of a new species and subspecies.

Caloteswangisp. nov., a new species of the agamid genus Calotes Cuvier, 1817, from southern China and northern Vietnam, is described. This species can be distinguished from all known congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics and genetic divergence in the mitochondrial tRNA, ND2, and CO1 genes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the new species was formed as a monophyletic group and that considerable genetic divergence existed between its congeners (minimum p-distance, 4.6%). Caloteswangisp. nov. is distinguished by a combination of the following characteristics: average SVL < 90 mm for adult males; 10-14 dorsal eyelid scales; scales on side of neck and adjacent shoulder area pointing obliquely upward; keels on neck scales weakly to strongly developed; fold in front of the shoulder absent; pair of dark triangular patches extending from the front of the shoulder to the jaw angles; and orange coloration of the tongue. Caloteswangisp. nov. is similar to C.irawadi but differs in having scales between the nasal shield and the orbit and a fourth toe with a claw that can reach between the eyes and tympanum (even to the snout when hind the limbs are adpressed forward). Phylogenetic analyses revealed two well-supported subspecies, Lineages A and B in C.wangisp. nov., with mean uncorrected p-distances between them of 2%. We propose that Lineage A, which is mainly from the central and southern Wuzhi Mountains on Hainan Island, is a subspecies, C.w.hainanensisssp. nov. Lineage B mainly comprises individuals from other sites on the island plus the adjacent mainland, and is described as subspecies, C.w.wangissp. nov. A diagnostic key to all Calotes species of China is also provided.

More cryptic diversity among spiny lizards of the Sceloporus torquatus complex discovered through a multilocus approach

Abstract A phylogenetic reassessment of the Sceloporus torquatus species complex is presented using a multilocus approach. Topological conflicts related to a clade belonging to disjunct southern populations of S. madrensis are resolved, confirming the identity of such populations as distinct from the nominal populations of S. madrensis located 175 kilometres to the north. We describe this southern clade as a new species distributed in the Sierra Madre Oriental based on its phylogenetic distinctiveness and a combination of morphological characters and measurements, increasing the number of recognised species in the S. torquatus complex to seven.

Phenotype and genotype characterization of Botrytis cinerea isolates from cut roses in Yunnan, China

AbstractBotrytis cinerea is considered to be the second most destructive fungal pathogen worldwide, causing severe pre‐ and postharvest losses in cut roses. However, to date, no systematic research on its characteristics in cut roses has been reported. In our study, a total of 100 isolates from cut roses from Yunnan, China, were analysed. A combination of morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of RPB2 revealed that 100 isolates were of the species B. cinerea. These isolates were pathogenic on unwounded detached rose petals. Pathogenicity was evaluated according to the size of petal spots and categorized into grades 0–5, from weak to strong. The inhibition rate varied greatly following the addition of procymidone (21.9%–100%) and cyprodinil (25.0%–92.3%). Analysis of Bc‐hch sequences revealed all isolates belong to phylogenetic Group II. According to the presence or absence of transposable elements, 87, 5, 4 and 4 isolates were identified as transposa, vacuma, Boty‐only and Flipper‐only types, respectively. Detection of mating type indicated that all isolates were heterothallic with 45% belonging to MAT1‐1 and 55% to MAT1‐2. Isolates were divided into four subpopulations when analysing single‐nucleotide polymorphisms at the genomic level, with a significant difference in pathogenicity between subpopulations 1 and 4. The evolutionary tree indicated that isolates AN‐02, AN‐22 and SM‐C18 were clustered in the root, suggesting an earlier evolutionary time than other isolates; moreover, they all exhibited low pathogenicity (grade 1). This systematic study of the characteristics of B. cinerea will provide significant support for grey mould control and further research.

Four new hypogean species of the genus Triplophysa (Osteichthyes, Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Guizhou Province, Southwest China, based on molecular and morphological data

Recently described cave species of the genus Triplophysa have been discovered in southwestern China, suggesting that the diversity of the genus is severely underestimated and that there may be many undescribed species. In this work, four new species of the genus Triplophysa are described from southwestern Guizhou Province, China, namely Triplophysa cehengensis Luo, Mao, Zhao, Xiao &amp; Zhou, sp. nov. and Triplophysa rongduensis Mao, Zhao, Yu, Xiao &amp; Zhou, sp. nov. from Rongdu Town, Ceheng County, Guizhou, Triplophysa panzhouensis Yu, Luo, Lan, Xiao &amp; Zhou, sp. nov. from Hongguo Town, Panzhou City, Guizhou, and Triplophysa anlongensis Song, Luo, Lan, Zhao, Xiao &amp; Zhou, sp. nov. from Xinglong Town, Anlong County, Guizhou. These four new species can be distinguished from all recognized congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics and significant genetic divergences. The discovery of these species increases the number of known cave species within the genus Triplophysa to 39, making the genus the second most diverse group of cave fishes in China after the golden-line fish genus Sinocyclocheilus. Based on the non-monophyletic relationships of the different watershed systems in the phylogenetic tree, this study also discusses the use of cave species of the genus Triplophysa to determine the possible historical connectivity of river systems.

Disentangling the taxonomical uncertainties about the presence of Cistus pouzolzii Delile in the Iberian Peninsula

Cistus pouzolzii is a species distributed in the western Mediterranean. Its populations are located in France and North Africa, being absent in the Iberian Peninsula.. It was described by Delile, but its taxonomic and nomenclatural status has been discussed by several authors, mainly based on its particular combination of morphological characters. We have recently found several populations of a Cistus species whose morphological characters match those of C. pouzolzii. To confirm the taxonomic identity of these populations, a comparative study was performed using herbarium specimens of C. pouzolzii from France and North Africa. In addition, two chloroplast regions were sequenced to study the phylogenetic relationships between the newly discovered Iberian populations and the rest of the species of the genus Cistus, including the sequences belonging to C. pouzolzii from France and Morocco previously used. Both analyses (morphological and phylogenetic studies) confirmed that the specimens sampled in the Iberian populations were C. pouzolzii. Furthermore, both the nomenclature of this species and its conservation status are briefly discussed.

Musicians in the marsh: a new species of music frog (Anura: Ranidae: Nidirana) from Arunachal Pradesh, India.

We describe a new species of ranid frog of the genus Nidirana from northeast India based on morphological, molecular and acoustic evidence. The new species is phenotypically distinct from its congeners by a combination of morphological characters: body robust with SVL 46.559.1 mm (n= 3) in adult males and SVL 60.666.0 mm (n= 2) in adult females; a pair of subgular vocal sacs and two patches of nuptial pad on the first finger in adult males; toe tips slightly dilated and oval; circum-marginal grooves present on all toes; dorsal skin with scattered small tubercles. A pale cream-coloured mid-dorsal line from the snout tip to the vent is present. Phylogenetically, the new species differs from its congeners by a genetic divergence of 3.48.0% and 7.712.4% in 16S and COI genes respectively. Furthermore, the new species can be differentiated from its congeners by its advertisement call, which consists of two different types of notes, call duration (0.580.92 s) and dominant frequency of the call (473.7 Hz). The discovery of a new species validates the presence of the genus Nidirana from India and emphasizes the importance of exploring specialized habitats such as marshlands, which are often overlooked.

Morphological and molecular identification of a new species of Fulvoderma (Hymenochaetaceae, Basidiomycota) from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, China

A new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Fulvoderma yunnanense , is proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular data . Fulvoderma yunnanense is characterized by annual, laterally stipitate basidiomata with greyish brown pore surface , a monomitic hyphal system with simple septate generative hyphae , tubular cystidia and broad ellipsoid to subglobose , thin-walled, smooth basidiospores measuring as 4.0– 5.4 × 3.3– 4.8 µm . Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA gene regions of the specimens were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were carried out with methods of maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference. The phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS+nLSU indicated that F. yunnanense nested in Fulvoderma within Hymenochaetaceae. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS dataset revealed that the new species formed a well-supported monophyletic lineage with F. australe. Full description, photo plates and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of the new species are given.

Freshwater fungi from southern Australia: Minivolcanus unicellularis gen. et. sp. nov. and Achrochaeta rivulata sp. nov.

While conducting a survey of freshwater fungi in the temperate region of southern Australia, we came across two previously undiscovered anamorphic Ascomycota, a phoma-like coelomycete and a dictyochaeta-like hyphomycete. The coelomycetous fungus was classified in the family Morosphaeriaceae (Pleosporales) as a new genus, primarily supported by molecular data. We hereby introduce Minivolcanus unicellularis, the new genus and species, accompanied by both morphological and molecular evidence. Additionally, the dictyochaeta-like hyphomycete was placed in the genus Achrochaeta in the Chaetosphaeriaceae (Chaetosphaeriales) based on a combination of morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses utilising ITS, 28S, and TEF1 sequences. This newly identified species is proposed as Achrochaeta rivulata, the second species described within this genus. These findings expand our knowledge of fungal diversity in the region.

Taxonomic diversity of racerunners with descriptions of two new Eremias species (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Central Iran.

We provide a diversity assessment of Iranian species of the genus Eremias based on the cytochrome oxidase I mtDNA gene fragment. We analyzed 93 genetic samples from the entire distribution of the Eremias fasciata species complex in Iran and surrounding regions, along with morphological data to support the description of two new species from Central Iran. We hypothesize that the diversification of the Eremias fasciata species complex was largely influenced by the fragmentation of sand massifs in the region. This same hypothesis has been used to explain the high level of endemism among the sand-dwelling species of reptiles along the Iranian Plateau in the same area. The two new species described herein can be distinguished from other congeneric species by their phylogenetic position and a combination of morphological characters. We use these data to discuss the taxonomy of Eremias based on morphology, habitat choice, and genetic data.

Cestodes of Pseudobatos horkelii (Mller and Henle) (Rhinopristiformes) including Rhinebothrium quequense n. sp. (Rhinebothriidea) and Caulobothrium pieroi n. sp. (Tetraphyllidea) from the southwestern Atlantic.

Two new species of cestodes were described from the Brazilian guitarfish, Pseudobatos horkelii (Mller and Henle) (Rhinopristiformes: Rhinobatidae), from coastal waters off Argentina in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Rhinebothrium quequense n. sp. (Rhinebothriidea) differs from its congeners by a combination of morphological characters, including the total number of loculi, the absence of loculi at the level of bothridial constriction, the number of testes per proglottid, and the number of proglottids per worm. Caulobothrium pieroi n. sp. (Tetraphyllidea) can be distinguished from the other members of the genus by the following set of morphological features including the presence of stalked bothridia with apical sucker, the number of loculi per bothridium, the number of testes per proglottid, and the number of proglottids per worm. The discovery of R. quequense n. sp. and C. pieroi n. sp. in the Brazilian guitarfish not only increases the number of rhinebothriideans and tetraphyllideans in the southwestern Atlantic, but also expands the elasmobranchs list to include P. horkelii for the first time as a new host record for cestodes globally. In addition, this is not only the first report of a species of Rhinebothrium in rhinobatids in the region, but it is also the first Caulobothrium species infecting a rhinopristiform batoid.

Morphology, phylogeny and host specificity of two new Ophiocordyceps species belonging to the "zombie-ant fungi" clade (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales).

Species of the genus Ophiocordyceps, which include species able to manipulate the behaviour of ants, are known as the "zombie-ant fungi" and have attracted much attention over the last decade. They are widespread within tropical, subtropical and even temperate forests worldwide, with relatively few reports from subtropical monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest. Fungal specimens have been collected from China, occurring on ants and producing hirsutella-like anamorphs. Based on a combination of morphological characters, phylogenetic analyses (LSU, SSU, TEF1a, RPB1 and RPB2) and ecological data, two new species, Ophiocordycepstortuosa and O.ansiformis, are identified and proposed herein. Ophiocordycepstortuosa and O.ansiformis are recorded on the same species of Colobopsis ant, based on phylogenetic analyses (COI), which may be sharing the same host. Ophiocordycepstortuosa and O.ansiformis share the morphological character of producing lanceolate ascospores. They have typical characteristics distinguished from other species. The ascospore of O.tortuosa are tortuously arranged in the ascus and the ascospore of O.ansiformis have a structure like a handle-shape in the middle. Our molecular data also indicate that O.tortuosa and O.ansiformis are clearly distinct from other species.

Primary parasitoids of Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) occurring in Spanish mango orchards

The white mango scale (WMS), Aulacaspis tubercularis, is the main pest of mango crops in Southern Spain. Field surveys were carried out from July 2019 to May 2022 to investigate the identity, seasonal abundance and active parasitism rates of A. tubercularis primary parasitoid species, using yellow sticky traps and periodic leaf sampling. The combination of morphological characters and DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mtCOI) and 28S ribosomal (28S rDNA) genes allowed the identification of only two parasitoid species belonging to the genus Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). The most prevalent, E. citrina (Crawford), is a widespread species and proved to be the dominant species in the sampled mango orchards. Next, Encarsia sp., is an unidentified species genetically close to E. lounsburyi Berlese but significantly differs in the sequences of the mtCOI and 28S rDNA regions. Population abundance and active parasitism rates of Encarsia parasitoids depended on the presence of susceptible WMS stages for parasitism and on the abiotic conditions. The seasonal abundance of these parasitoid species fluctuated around the year, being lower during the winter but it increased in late spring, reaching the highest values at the end of summer. The average percentage of active parasitism was 12.48% for female scales and 13.97% for male scales but reached maximum values of 38.56 and 43.52%, respectively at specific seasons in the year. The highest rates of parasitism for female scales were observed in summer, while for male scales were observed in winter. The natural occurrence of parasitoids was unable to control the WMS populations and, consequently, complementary measures should be implemented to reduce its density levels.