Distinct Constriction Research Articles

First Report of Alternaria alternata Causing Leaf Spot on Smooth Bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) in China.

Smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) is an important forage crop in northern China. In July 2021, leaf spot symptoms were observed on smooth bromegrass in Ewenki Banner, Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia. In an area of approximately 0.12 hectares, 95% disease incidence was observed. Ten diseased plants were collected for pathogen isolation. Leaf tissues near the lesions were cut into 5 × 5 mm pieces, surface-disinfested in 75% ethanol for 3 min, and rinsed with sterile distilled water. The pieces were placed on water agar in petri plates and incubated at 25℃ for three days. The resulting colonies were flushed with sterile water and a spore suspension was serially diluted and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). A single-spore colony was obtained. Ten isolates were obtained and designated HE1 to HE10. The colony morphology was identical for all isolates, grayish white in color on the upper surface and light black on the underside. The mycelia were light gray and velvety. Conidia were light brown to brown in color and oblate, oblong or oval. The conidial dimensions were typically between 15 to 43 μm by 8 to 9 μm in size. The conidia possessed one to six transverse septa, with slight to distinct constrictions at each division, and zero to two longitudinal septa. These morphological characteristics resembled Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl.. DNA was extracted from three isolates, HE3, HE4 and HE5, using the CTAB method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on the extracted DNA with a set of primers ITS1/ITS4, H31a/H31b, gpd1/gpd2, TEF1-728F/TEF1-986R, and RPB2-5F2/fRPB2-7cR. The amplicon sequences from the three isolates were analyzed using the BLAST in GenBank (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). The results showed a high sequence identity, ranging from 99 to 100%, with the A. alternata strain YTMZ-20-2 across all the genetic markers tested. The strong match reinforced the identification of the strains as A. alternata. The sequences were deposited in GenBank (Table S1). The three fungal isolates were identified as A. alternata based on their morphological and genetic data. To conduct Koch's postulates, the representative isolate HE4 was used. Smooth bromegrass seed was soaked in water for four days and sown in potting soil contained in plastic pots (10 cm diameter × 15 cm height, five seeds/pot) in a greenhouse under a 16-h photoperiod at temperatures between 20 to 25°C and 60% relative humidity. When the plants reached a height of approximately 20 cm, the plants in three pots (replicates) were sprayed with a spore suspension (106 conidial/ml) at 10 ml/pot, and three pots were sprayed with sterile water for control. Five days after inoculation, the plants exhibited leaf spot symptoms similar to those previously described, while the control plants remained unaffected. The causative fungus was successfully re-isolated from the diseased plants and confirmed morphologically and molecularly on its identity as described above. This experiment was independently conducted three times. This is the first report of A. alternata causing leaf spot on smooth bromegrass in China. Since there is risk that the disease could seriously reduce the yield of the forage crop smooth bromegrass, further research is needed.

Feabatrus gen. nov., a conspicuous new genus of Batrisitae from Myanmar and China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

A highly distinctive genus of pselaphine tribe Batrisini, Feabatrus gen. nov., is described based on Leonardo Fea’s historical collection housed in the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “G. Doria” di Genova, Italy. The genus includes two new species from Myanmar, F. myanmarensis sp. nov. and F. leonardoi sp. nov. Feabatrus gen. nov. is characterized and can be separated from related genera by large-sized body with long, suberect setae on the dorsal surface and antennae, pronotum with large marginal, discal and antebasal spines, elytra with a smooth disc and shallow discal striae, inner two basal foveae close, and lacking subhumeral fovea, distinct constriction between the elytra and the abdomen, and the female possessing an asymmetric genital complex as well as a flat, sub-trapezoidal tergite 5 (VIII) that has a small nodule in the middle of the posterior margin. A single female from Yunnan, southwestern China, representing a third species, is briefly described but left unnamed.

Gummy stem blight: One disease, three pathogens.

Gummy stem blight (GSB) is a major disease of cucurbits worldwide. It is caused by three fungal species that are morphologically identical and have overlapping geographic and host ranges. Controlling GSB is challenging due to the lack of resistant cultivars and the pathogens' significant ability to develop resistance to systemic fungicides. The causal agent of GSB is recognized as a complex of three phylogenetically distinct species belonging to domain Eukaryota, kingdom Fungi, phylum Ascomycota, subphylum Pezizomycotina, class Dothideomycetes, subclass Pleosporomycetida, order Pleosporales, family Didymellaceae, genus Stagonosporopsis, species cucurbitacearum, citrulli, and caricae. Pycnidia are tan with dark rings of cells around the ostiole measuring 120-180 μm in diameter. Conidia are 6-13 μm long, hyaline, cylindrical with round ends, and non- or monoseptate. Pseudothecia are black and globose in shape and have a diameter of 125-213 μm. Ascospores are 14-18 × 4-6 μm long, hyaline, ellipsoidal with round ends, and monoseptate with a distinct constriction at the septum. Eight ascospores are found per ascus. The upper end of the apical cell is pointed, whereas the lower end of the bottom cell is blunt. Species-specific PCR primers that can be used in a multiplex conventional PCR assay are available. The GSB species complex is pathogenic to 37 species of cucurbits from 21 different genera. S. cucurbitacearum and S. citrulli are specific to cucurbits, while S. caricae is also pathogenic to papaya and babaco-mirim (Vasconcellea monoica), a related fruit. Under favourable environmental conditions, symptoms can appear 3-12 days after spore germination. Leaf spots often start at the leaf margin or extend to the margins. Spots expand and coalesce, resulting in leaf blighting. Active lesions are typically water-soaked. Cankers are observed on crowns, main stems, and vines. Red to amber gummy exudates are often seen on the stems after cankers develop on cortical tissue.

Maxwelleus, a new genus of Curculionidae from the Himalayas, with two new species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae: Euderini).

The new genus Maxwelleus, with two new species, M. tibetanus (China, Tibet) and M. birmanus (Myanmar [Burma]), is described and illustrated. The new genus is immediately recognized by large body size (12.5-13.8 mm), pronotum with a distinct transverse groove or constriction behind apex and elytra with narrow but distinct transverse patches of yellow scales. A key to the species is given.

Waidelotinae, a new subfamily of Pyrochroidae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea) from Baltic amber of the Sambian peninsula and the interpretation of Sambian amber stratigraphy, age and location.

Waidelotus hoffeinsorum gen. et sp. nov. is described from Eocene Baltic amber and assigned to Waidelotinae subfam. nov. within family Pyrochroidae (Coleoptera). The new subfamily differs from the other subfamilies by the following combination of features: penultimate tarsomere of all tarsi deeply bilobed, antepenultimate tarsomere of each pro- and mesothoracic tarsus slightly bilobed, antepenultimate tarsomere of metathoracic tarsi slightly widened apically; pronotum laterally margined in basal half; eyes emarginate; pretarsal claws appendiculate; prosternal intercoxal process incompletely separating prothoracic coxae; pronotum with fine posterior submarginal groove; head without distinct constriction behind eyes; posterior pronotal pits absent; and elytral pubescence homogenous. It is the only authentic species of Pyrochroidae (Coleoptera) from Baltic amber, pending final placement of Palaeopyrochroa crowsoni Abdullah, 1965. Additionally, the available data on stratigraphy of amber-bearing strata on the Sambian peninsula, and the age and location of Eocene amberiferous forests are discussed. A middle Eocene (mostly Bartonian) age is interpreted for the extinct Central European resin-producing forests resulting in the Sambian amber deposits.

Mediomastus chinensis sp. nov., a new species of Capitellidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the southeast coast of China

Mediomastus is a common genus around the world, and Chinese specimens used to be identified as M. californiensis Hartman. In this study, 118 Mediomastus specimens collected from four localities along the southeast coast of China were examined. They belonged to an unknown species. We treat them as a new species, described herein. The new species is characterized as follows: (1) chaetigers 1–9 biannulate with chaetal fascicles at midsegment, thereafter multiannulate with chaetal fascicles posterior to midsegment; (2) parapodial ridges on posterior abdomen; (3) possession of bilimbate capillary chaetae on chaetigers 1–4; (4) thoracic hooks with long, straight shaft, hood length about 3–5 times width; (5) abdominal hooks shorter, with developed shoulder and distinct constriction, markedly different from those in thorax; (6) unique staining pattern with methyl green. The present study indicated that Mediomastus species inhabiting Chinese waters might be misidentified as M. californiensis, and that Mediomastus chinensis sp. nov. is widely distributed along the southeast coast of China.

Lyngbya regalis sp. nov. (Oscillatoriales, Cyanophyceae), a new tropical marine cyanobacterium

A new species of tropical marine cyanobacterium was isolated from the coast of Singapore. Lyngbya regalis is a filamentous, non-heterocystous cyanobacterium that forms a brown-green macroscopic thallus of filaments that are straight to wavy. Filaments are enclosed in a transparent, lamellated sheath with distinct cross-wall constrictions observed and apical cells that are widely rounded. The combined phenotypic, phylogenetic (16S rRNA sequences) and ecological characteristics observed indicate that Lyngbya regalis is a novel species within the genus Lyngbya C. Agardh ex Gomont.

Description of a new species of the Amblydromalus limonicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) species group based on morphological and molecular evidences

ABSTRACTA new phytoseiid species, Amblydromalus zannoui n. sp., is described based on specimens collected from Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) in Tocantins state, central Brazil. This species fits the characteristics of the previous established limonicus species group, within which it is morphologically most similar to Amblydromalus manihoti Moraes. To ascertain that the specimens collected belonged to a species distinct from A. manihoti, analyses of both species using multivariate analysis of 35 morphometric characters and DNA sequences were carried out. The morphometric differences between those two groups were determined to be small for all characters except for the seta Z5 and the macroseta St IV. Amblydromalus zannoui n. sp. was shown to have Z5 longer and the macroseta St IV shorter than A. manihoti and spermathecal calyx with a distinct constriction along most of its extension (tubular in A. manihoti). DNA sequences analysis based on the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) confirmed A. zannoui n. sp. to be distinct from A. manihoti. A morphological description of the new species is provided. The known potential of A. limonicus and A. manihoti as bio-control agents of pest arthropods warrants evaluations of the potential of the species here described for practical use in biological control.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of new and known species of Tripyla Bastian, 1865 (Triplonchida: Tripylidae) from northern Iran, with phylogenetic relationships, compendium and identification key

During a nematological survey of the family Tripylidae, two new and two known species of the genusTripyla, namelyT. paraffinissp. n.,T. parafilicaudatasp. n.,T. glomeransandT. setifera, were identified and described from soil samples collected from the rhizosphere of forest trees in northern Iran. Three populations ofT. paraffinissp. n., found in different locations, are described and morphometric data of the type and other populations provided.Tripyla paraffinissp. n. is characterised by its body length of 1.21-1.89 mm, dorsal tooth wedge-shaped and triangular, short outer labial and cephalic sensilla, tail bent ventrad and gradually tapering to the end, horn-shaped spicules bearing a distinct constriction in the middle, and presence of 16-20 ventromedian supplementary papillae.Tripyla parafilicaudatasp. n. is described and illustrated from four different locations. It is characterised by females with a body length of 1.48-1.95 mm, dorsal tooth hook-shaped, vaginal wall with a downward pointing tooth-like projection in the middle, long outer labial and setiform cephalic sensilla, long tail, sausage-shaped spermatozoa, males with horn-shaped spicules and 11-17 ventromedian supplementary papillae.Tripyla glomeransandT. setiferaare new records for the Iranian nematofauna. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of the partial 18S and D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA fromT. paraffinissp. n. andT. parafilicaudatasp. n. and other species in the genus clearly support the proposal ofT. paraffinissp. n. andT. parafilicaudatasp. n. as new species, as well as indicating thatTripylashares a more recent common ancestor withTobrilus,Tripylella,Prismatolaimus,Diphtherophoraand two trichodorids,TrichodorusandParatrichodorus. The Tripylidae is placed in a main clade within the Triplonchida.

FIRST REPORT OF DAMPING OFF OF VACCINIUM BRACTEATUM CAUSED BY CERATOBASIDIUM sp. FROM EASTERN CHINA

Oriental blueberry (Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb.) is a source of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, having anti-fatigue and antioxidant activity. From 2012 to 2013, blueberry seedlings with symptoms of damping off were observed in seven commercial crops in Zhangzhu county, Yixi City, Jiangsu Province, China with a disease incidence of approximately 60%. Infected seedlings showed water soaked lesions on the stem with a brownish halo in the center, which later turned into root rot. Infected seedlings wilted and died prematurely. About 30 infected seedlings were collected, cut into 50 pieces, surface-disinfested with 4% sodium hypochlorite, rinsed 3-times with sterile distilled water, and placed onto potato dextrose agar plates kept at 28°C for 3 days. About 20 fungal isolates were obtained. This fungus formed white colonies with abundant aerial mycelium, which was septate, branching at right angle, with distinct constriction at the origin of branching. 3-day-old hyphae were 4-6 mm in size. It did not produce conidia. Hyphal cells were stained with DAPI and all the isolates were binucleate. Total genomic DNA was extracted from the mycelial mat using CTAB. Amplification of ITS using primers ITS1/ITS4 yielded a ca. 670 bp product (GenBank Accession No. KP233903). The sequences obtained were 99% similar to Ceratobasidium sp. AG-U isolate (GenBank Accession No. HQ269825.1 from Azalea) (Copes et al., 2011). In pathogenicity tests, blueberry seedlings were inoculated with pure cultures of eight isolates of Ceratobasidium sp. Three 8 mm-disks of mycelia grown on PDA were placed around the roots of each plantlet. There were four replicates of 3-month-old seedlings for each treatment; the experiment was conducted twice. Eight control seedlings were inoculated with three PDA plugs. Both inoculated and non-inoculated seedlings were placed in glasshouse at 28°C. Damping-off symptoms developed in the stems and roots similar to those observed in the field. Control seedlings remained healthy. The fungus was re-isolated from the infected seedlings and confirmed to be Ceratobasidium sp. based on morphological characteristics and rDNA-ITS sequence. This pathogen has a worldwide distribution and a wide host range. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Ceratobasidium sp. causing oriental blueberry damping off in the world. Oriental blueberry production is developing quickly in China; therefore, appropriate and effective disease management strategies of oriental blueberry should include the disease incited by Ceratobasidium sp.

Lecania makarevicziae, a new lichen species from Iran

A new for science species Lecania makarevicziae differing from L. pallida in having knobby to squamulose, blastidiate thallus, in having larger apothecia, in having a dark violet-brown disc, in having a plane disc, in having (1–2–)3-septate ascospores with slightly distinct constrictions at the septum, as well as in the lack of dense bluish pruina on apothecium disc, from Iran and Turkmenistan, is described, compared with closely related taxa.

Denopelopia amicitia, a new Tanypodinae from Brazil (Diptera, Chironomidae)

A new species of Denopelopia from Brazil is described based on adult male and pupa. The male of the new species can be distinguished from all other species of the genus by the genitalia and fore-tibial spur morphology. The pupa is very similar to those of Denopelopia atria, but it can be distinguished by the absence of distinct constrictions in the respiratory atrium of the thoracic horn. Generic diagnosis to male and pupa of Denopelopia is emended and keys to male and pupae of known species are provided.

Two new free-living marine nematode species of the genus Anoplostoma (Anoplostomatidae) from the mangrove habitats of Xiamen Bay, East China Sea

Two new species of free-living marine nematode from mangrove habitats in Xiamen Bay are identified. Anoplostoma tumidum sp. nov. is characterized by relatively short outer labial setae (0.86–1.00 h. d.), long tail (c 7.2–8.9, c’ 8.3–10.5), an instinct swollen distal portion of slender spicule (Sc 94–101 µm), and well developed copulatory bursae without bursal papillae. A. tumidum sp. nov. differs from all valid species of genus Anoplostoma in copulatory apparatus of males with a distinct swollen distal portion of spicule, and a relatively obvious constriction of head. A. paraviviparum sp. nov. is characterized by relatively long outer labial setae (1.11–1.22 h. d.), and tail (c 6.6–8.5, c’ 8.6–10.2); elongated spicules with distinct knob-like proximal and pointed distal ends (Sc 46–69 µm); distinct strip-like gubernaculum (length with 11–15µm); well developed copulatory bursae with precloacal papillae and post-cloacal papillae; and a distinct constriction of head. A. paraviviparum sp. nov. is similar to A. viviparum Bastian, 1865, but differs in the reproductive mode of female and the constriction of head.

The first dromaeosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Lower Cretaceous Bayan Gobi Formation of Nei Mongol, China.

The first dromaeosaurid theropod from the Lower Cretaceous Bayan Gobi Formation is identified based on an incompletely preserved partially-articulated left leg, increasing the known diversity of its understudied ecosystem. The leg belongs to specimen IVPP V22530 and includes a typical deinonychosaurian pedal phalanx II-2 with a distinct constriction between the enlarged proximal end and the distal condyle as well as a typical deinonychosaurian enlarged pedal phalanx II-3. It possesses a symmetric metatarsus and a slender and long MT V that together suggest it is a dromaeosaurid. Two anatomical traits suggest the leg is microraptorine-like, but a more precise taxonomic referral was not possible: metatarsals II, III and IV are closely appressed distally and the ventral margin of the medial ligament pit of phalanx II-2 is close to the centre of the rounded distal condyle. This taxonomic status invites future efforts to discover additional specimens at the study locality because—whether it is a microraptorine or a close relative—this animal is expected to make important contributions to our understanding of dromaeosaurid evolution and biology. IVPP V22530 also comprises of an isolated dromaeosaurid manual ungual, a proximal portion of a right theropod anterior dorsal rib and an indeterminate bone mass that includes a collection of ribs. Neither the rib fragment nor the bone mass can be confidently referred to Dromaeosauridae, although they may very well belong to the same individual to whom the left leg belongs.

Distribution of constitutive heterochromatin and nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) inMustela nivalisLinnaeus, 1766 (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in Turkey

C- and Ag-NOR banding of the least weasel, Mustela nivalis, from the central and Mediterranean regions of Turkey was examined for the first time in this study. The chromosome set was composed of 18 biarmed and three acrocentric autosome pairs. The X chromosome was a medium-sized submetacentric, while the Y was a small metacentric. A distinct secondary constriction was observed on the juxta centromeric region of the long arm of an autosome that was negatively C-banded. Large heterochromatic C-blocks, stained densely, were detected in six biarmed pairs, while ones stained faintly were recorded in four biarmed autosome pairs. Active NORs were located in the secondary constriction of the acrocentric autosome. The numbers of C-banded autosomes of Turkish specimens were similar to those reported previously from the Palearctic region.

The Early Triassic eosauropterygian Majiashanosaurus discocoracoidis, gen. et sp. nov. (Reptilia, Sauropterygia), from Chaohu, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China

ABSTRACT—Records of Early Triassic marine reptiles, when they first emerged after the end Permian mass extinction, are rare. During an excavation at Majiashan, Chaohu, Anhui Province, a new sauropterygian specimen was found co-occurring with the ichthyopterygian Chaohusaurus from the Upper Member of the Nanlinghu Formation, of Olenekian (Spathian, Early Triassic) age, for which a new taxon, Majiashanosaurus discocoracoidis, gen. et sp. nov., is erected. This skeleton is exposed in ventral view, with the last three cervical vertebrae together with 19 dorsal, three sacral, and more than 18 caudal vertebrae preserved. The cervical centra are keeled ventrally, and cervical ribs are double-headed, carrying a free anterior process. The transverse processes of the dorsal vertebrae are not distinctively elongated. The dorsal ribs are single-headed, and the clavicles articulate on the anteromedial aspect of the scapula. The humerus is curved. These features allow assignment to a new sauropterygian taxon. The interclavicle has no posterior process, and the scapula is of typical eosauropterygian shape, with a broad and ventrally expanded glenoidal portion that is separated from a narrow posterodorsal blade by a distinct constriction. The coracoid is round and plate-like without a waist. This feature is different from that of all other known eosauropterygians, but resembles that of placodonts.SUPPLEMENTAL DATA—Supplemental materials are available for this article for free at www.tandfonline.com/UJVP

First Report of Stemphylium globuliferum Causing Stemphylium Leaf Spot on Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in the United States.

Stemphylium leaf spot occurs in most areas where alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is grown. In the United States, Stemphylium botryosum is reported to be the predominant pathogen (1), although S. vesicarium and S. herbarum are also observed. S. alfalfae was isolated on alfalfa in Australia (4) and S. globuliferum was reported in Egypt and Korea. In April and May 2012, alfalfa plants with leaf spot symptoms were observed in Rosemount and Waseca, MN, and in Arlington, Tomah, and Waupaca, WI. Initial symptoms consisted of white to tan spots with a brown border, 2 to 3 mm in diameter, circular to oval, enlarging to 5 to 8 mm in diameter. Large lesions often coalesced. Small, narrow, brown lesions occurred on petioles. Lower killed leaves remained attached to the primary stem. Spots were larger than those caused by the cool temperature biotype of S. botryosum. Conidia formed on lesions after 48 h in a moist chamber. Conidia were removed with a fine glass rod, germinated on 1% water agar, and single hyphae transferred to V8 agar (V8A). After 2 weeks under room light, plates were placed under UV light to stimulate spore production. Conidia on host material were borne singly on straight, unbranched, smooth conidiophores, medium brown at the apex. Conidia were medium to dark brown with small papillae, subspherical with 3 to 4 transverse and 3 to 4 complete or near complete longitudinal septa, with a distinct constriction at the median transverse septum. Conidia were 27.5 to 32.5 μm long × 20 to 22.5 μm wide with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.2 to 1.5. Conidia on V8A were smaller, 25 to 30 μm long × 12.5 to 19 μm wide with a L/W of 1.6 to 1.8. Ascostromata 300 μm in diameter formed on leaves held at 4°C for 2 months as well as on culture plates after 1 month. Ascospores from leaves were golden brown to reddish, 40 to 42.5 × 20 μm, slightly broader in the upper half of the spore, with 7 to 8 transverse septa and one complete longitudinal septum with several incomplete septa. Ascospores from culture were smaller, 27.5 to 30 × 12.5 to 15 μm wide. These morphological features are consistent with the description for S. globuliferum (3). DNA was extracted from pure cultures of SAr301 and SWp202, isolated from plants grown in Arlington and Waupaca, respectively, and used to amplify ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA using primers ITS1 and ITS4, GPD with primers GPD1 and GPD2, EF-1α with EF446f and EF1473R, and the intergenic spacer between vmaA and vpsA with primers ATPF2 and GTP604R (2). In sequence comparisons made by BLASTn searches of GenBank, the ITS (KF479193), GPD (KF479194), and EF-1α (KF479195) sequences from S. globuliferum were different from the gene sequences of S. botryosum but identical to those from S. vesicarium, S. herbarum, and S. alfalfae. The vmaA-vpsA spacer sequence (KF479196) of S. globuliferum had 3 nucleotide differences from S. vesicarium and S. herbarum and 4 nucleotide differences from S. alfalfae, demonstrating that this sequence is useful for species discrimination. Conidia from strains SAr301 and SWp 202 were suspended at 104/ml in sterile water with 0.01% Tween 20 and used to inoculate 12 alfalfa plants using a handheld sprayer. Plants were kept at 100% RH for 48 h, then grown at 20°C with a 16-h photoperiod. After 2 weeks, lesions similar to those seen in the field were observed on leaves of all plants. Symptomatic leaves placed in moist chambers produced conidia with the size and morphology of S. globuliferum within 48 h. This is the first report to our knowledge of S. globuliferum causing disease on alfalfa in the United States. Cultures were deposited in the University of Minnesota Mycological Culture Collection.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Bursaphelenchus andrassyi sp. n. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from Romania and Turkey

Bursaphelenchus andrassyi sp. n., found in conifer wood samples from Romania and Turkey, is characterised morphologically and genetically. Bursaphelenchus andrassyi sp. n. clearly belongs to the sexdentati group, having a terminal bursa, four lateral lines, a very small female ‘vulval flap’, strongly arcuate spicules and the typical position of caudal papillae of males. It is morphologically most similar to B. vallesianus and B. sexdentati. It can be differentiated from B. vallesianus by the usually subcylindrical female tail with rounded or wedge-shaped terminus vs conical female tail with a more or less rounded terminus, slightly different shape of spicules (low square condylus, lacking a distinct cucullus, pointed rostrum) and from B. sexdentati by lacking a distinct post-vulval constriction, shorter stylet and shorter spicules. The species status is supported by ITS-RFLP patterns and sequencing results of both partial 18S and 28S rDNA regions.

The head morphology of the potentially basal heteropteran lineages Enicocephalomorpha and Dipsocoromorpha (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera)

The systematic positions of Enicocephalomorpha and Dipsocoromorpha are still controversial and the available morphological information is very fragmentary. Consequently, head structures of Cryptostemma (Dipsocoromorpha: Dipsocoridae) and Systelloderes (Enicocephalomorpha: Enicocephalidae) were investigated in detail using SEM, serial sectioning and computer-based 3D-reconstruction. The observed features were compared to putatively homologous structures in Nepomorpha, Leptopodomorpha, Cimicomorpha, and Pentatomomorpha. A cladistic analysis based on 71 cephalic characters scored for 16 heteropteran terminals and outgroup taxa resulted in a strict consensus of two minimum length trees. The monophyly of Heteroptera is strongly supported. However, in the present study, the branching pattern within the group is not compatible with recent hypotheses (e.g., Nepomorpha paraphyletic herein). Characters of the head alone are not sufficient to reconstruct the basal branching events in Heteroptera. This is arguably due to homoplasy related to similar feeding habits. Consequently, we evaluated the cephalic characters based on previously published cladograms. A hypothesis with Enicocephalomorpha as the sister group of the remaining Heteroptera (Euheteroptera), followed by Dipsocoromorpha, required the lowest number of steps. Euheteroptera are supported by the presence of distinct bucculae, and Neoheteroptera (Euheteroptera excl. Dipsocoromorpha) by the presence of paired postoccipital condyles and distinctly bi-lobed principal salivary glands. A conspicuous autapomorphy of Enicocephalomorpha is the distinct constriction of the head capsule posterad of the compound eyes and probably also the elongation of the head and the presence of “scapus sclerites”. Dipsocoromorpha differ strongly form Enicocephalomorpha in their head morphology. Convincing cephalic autapomorphies are lacking. Gerromorpha are characterized by cephalic trichobothria originating in a deep pit and by a quadrangular mandibular lever.

First Report of Tagetes erecta Damping Off Caused by Ceratobasidium sp. from India.

The Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta) is cultivated commercially in India for medicinal, ceremonial, and decorative purposes. It is native to Mexico and the United States. The natural phytochemical thiophene extracted from T. erecta has been shown to have antibacterial activity. It is also grown to extract lutein, a common yellow/orange food color. During winter of 2011, approximately 15% marigold seedlings exhibited damping off symptoms at CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow, India, and its adjoining areas. Infected seedlings initially produced water-soaked lesions on the stem at the soil level that later turned pinkish with a brownish halo in the center. The infected seedlings were cut into small pieces, surface disinfected with 1% sodium hypochlorite, rinsed thrice with sterile distilled water, and placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. The plates were incubated at 25°C for 3 days. The isolation yielded whitish fungal growth that later turned tan brown. The mycelium was binucleate, septate, sub branching at right angles, with distinct constriction at the origin of branching. Bisbenzamide (Hoechst 33258; Chemical Abstracts no. 23491-45-4) was used as fluorescent dye for the staining of nuclei. Based on cultural as well as morphological characteristic features, the fungus was identified as Ceratobasidium sp. (1,2). The molecular identification was on the basis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequence. Amplification of the ITS of rDNA using primers ITS1/ITS4 yielded a ~700 bp band and sequenced data were deposited in the NCBI GenBank (KC193238). The ITS region (700 bp) was 100% identical to Ceratobasidium sp. AG-F strain BAGF101 isolated from Musa spp. in Georgia, United States (GenBank Accession No. HQ168370). The pathogenicity of the fungus was tested under glasshouse conditions. The inoculum of the fungus was prepared on sterile maize seeds in Erlenmeyer flasks by inoculating seeds with three disks (1 mm) of 5-day-old culture, and kept at 25 ± 2 °C for 14 days in the dark. The healthy, 5 to 7 day old seedlings were inoculated with five artificially infested maize seeds per pot. The uninoculated seedlings served as control. Both inoculated and uninoculated seedlings were kept at 28 ± 2°C in a humidity (95%) chamber for 3 days and thereafter placed in the glasshouse at 28 ± 2°C for development of disease symptoms. Initial symptoms developed as water-soaked lesions on the infected seedlings in 2 to 3 days, while typical disease symptoms appeared after 4 to 5 days of inoculation. Uninoculated seedlings were free from infection. The fungus was reisolated from the artificially infected seedlings on PDA and its identification as Ceratobasidium sp. was confirmed by morphological and molecular characteristics. Recently, Ceratobasidium sp. was reported as causal organism of root rot on Atractylodes macrocephala and banana (3,4). To the best of our knowledge, marigold damping off disease caused by Ceratobasidium sp. has not been reported so far on T. erecta. Hence, it is the first report from India. During fungal disease management for marigold, association of Ceratobasidium sp. should not be ignored for better crop protection.