Independent Genus Research Articles

Reinstatement of the genus Coenobiodiscus for the distinctive colonial diatom Planktoniella muriformis (Bacillariophyta)

Planktonic diatoms of the genus Planktoniella are characterized by organic extensions from the girdle. Planktoniella species are solitary, except for a colonial form that was first described as Coenobiodiscus muriformis from San Diego Bay, California. We established a culture of Planktoniella muriformis from Mazatlán, Gulf of California, in order to solve its phylogenetic affinities using molecular markers. Beyond the distinct colony morphology, P. muriformis has one marginal rimoportula and absence of mantle ribs, while two rimoportulae and numerous mantle ribs are the signature characteristics in the solitary species of the genus Planktoniella. In the SSU-, LSU rRNA and RuBisCO large subunit (rbcL) gene phylogenies, P. muriformis is nested within sequences from the paraphyletic genus Thalassiosira. The sequences are distantly related to the clade of the type species of Planktoniella, P. sol, and four other congeneric species, and the type species of Thalassiosira or any other thalassiosiroid genera, supporting consideration as an independent genus. In the rbcL gene phylogeny, the sequence of P. muriformis allies with distinct thalassiosiroid genera without bootstrap support, while in the SSU and LSU rRNA gene phylogenies it is nested with support as a sister group of two strains of T. hispida or the strain BEN02-35 identified as Thalassiosira angulata, respectively. The considerable genetic distance between these taxa and P. muriformis, and the lack of distinctive common morphological features do not support their placement in the same genus. Based on analyses of nuclear and chloroplast molecular markers, and the distinctive morphology of P. muriformis, with a unique type of colony formation unknown in any other diatom, we reinstate the genus Coenobiodiscus for P. muriformis.

Complete chloroplast genome of eight Phaius (Orchidaceae) species from China: comparative analysis and phylogenetic relationship

BackgroundPhaius Lour. (Collabieae, Orchidaceae) is a small genus consisting of about 45 species, with highly ornamental and medicinal values. However, the phylogenetic relationship of Phaius among Calanthe s. l. has been highly debated based on morphological and molecular data. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome has been widely used as a useful molecular marker for resolving phylogenetic problems, while few genomic data on Phaius was available. Therefore, complete cp genomes of eight Phaius species were sequenced and characterized in detail to provide a better understanding of its phylogenetics in Calanthe s. l.ResultsThe cp genomes of eight species investigated exhibited conserved quadripartite structures with varied lengths ranging between 157,997 bp to 158,735 bp. The overall GC content of these genomes ranged between 36.82 and 36.97%. Gene annotation revealed 136 genes in all eight genomes, of which 21 were duplicated in inverted regions and 15 with introns. Comparative analysis of eight cp genomes revealed stable sequence identity with greater variation in the single-copy regions, alongside notable differences in the genes at the LSC/IRb and IRb/SSC junctions, as well as in the number of SSRs. The phylogenetic analysis based on CDS from 49 complete cp genomes of Collabieae indicated that the eight Phaius species, together with other two species P. philippinensis and P. hainanensis, were clustered into a monophyletic clade among Calanthe s. l. and divided into two subclades with strong supports. Additionally, it was also supported that Calanthe s. l. should be divided into five genera with strong supports, including Calanthe s. s., Cephalantheropsis, Styloglossum, Phaius, and Preptanthe.ConclusionsIt was the first report on the complete cp genome of six Phaius species (P. columnaris, P. mishmensis, P. takeoi, P. tonkinensis, P. wallichii and P. wenshanensis) and has been comparatively analyzed in detail with P. flavus and P. tancarvilleae. It provided a comprehensive investigation of various cp genomic features for phylogenetic implications, including overall genome structure, codon usage, repeat sequences, IR boundaries, DNA polymorphisms, and phylogenetic reconstruction. It was suggested that Phaius and Calanthe s. s. should be treated as two independent genera. The concept of new genus Paraphaius was not confirmed by complete cp genomic data here. The intergeneric relationship of Phaius and its alliance in Calanthe group could be understood better by more cp genomic data.

Description of the mitochondrial genomes of Sichuan Tetrastes sewerzowi (Galliformes: Tetraonidae) and phylogenetic relationship.

The Chinese Grouse (Tetrastes sewerzowi), a rare endemic bird in China, belongs to the Galliformes order and Tetraonidae family. Despite extensive research, subspecies classification remains inadequate, especially in Pingwu, Sichuan. This study sequenced the mitochondrial genome of T. sewerzowi in Wanglang Nature Reserve, Sichuan, analyzed its structural features, and reconstructed phylogenetic relationships within Tetraonidae. The results indicate that the high conservation in mitochondrial genome structure and sequence between the T. sewerzowi from Wanglang, Sichuan and Lianhuashan, Gansu indicates that they may belong to the same subspecies. Furthermore, we observed significant differences in the length of the mitochondrial control region between T. sewerzowi and Tetrastes bonasia. Based on the phylogenetic tree constructed using a comprehensive mitochondrial dataset, we propose the reclassification of the Hazel Grouse genus into two independent genera: Tetrastes and Bonasa. This study is the first to sequence the mitochondrial genome of T. sewerzowi from Sichuan and compare it with populations from Gansu, providing important insights into the distribution pattern of T. sewerzowi subspecies and facilitating the formulation of effective conservation strategies.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Pseudolysimachion kiusianum var. diamantiacum (Plantaginaceae)

The genus Pseudolysimachion, previously classified as a subgenus of Veronica (Plantaginaceae), was reclassified as an independent genus based on chromosomal and molecular studies. The genus comprises approximately 20 species distributed across Asia and Europe, 16 of which are found on the Korean Peninsula. Among these, Pseudolysimachion kiusianum var. diamantiacum (Nakai) T. Yamaz is an endemic species of the Korean Peninsula, notable for its unique morphological traits. Despite its horticultural potential and existing research on its cultivation, the genetic resources for Pseudolysimachion remain limited. In the present study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome sequence of P. kiusianum var. diamantiacum for the first time and conducted a phylogenetic analysis within the genus. The chloroplast genome of P. kiusianum var. diamantiacum is 152,249 bp long and features a large single-copy region (83,187 bp), small single-copy region (17,704 bp), and two inverted repeats (25,679 bp each). Phylogenetic analysis of 35 chloroplast genomes, one genome generated in this study and 34 obtained from the NCBI GenBank confirmed the monophyly of Plantaginaceae and positioned Pseudolysimachion within the Veroniceae tribe. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of P. kiusianum var. diamantiacum provided here can be utilized to develop species-specific markers through comparison with closely related species. Further studies should aim to clarify its phylogenetic position within Pseudolysimachion.

Comparative analysis of complete chloroplast genomes of 14 Asteraceae species.

The Asteraceae family, the largest and one of the most diverse families of angiosperms, presents significant challenges in taxonomic classification and systematic research due to its vast species diversity and morphological complexity. A comprehensive understanding of the chloroplast genomes within this family is essential for refining taxonomic classifications and advancing phylogenetic studies. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genomes of 14 Asteraceae species and conducted a thorough bioinformatic analysis of their characteristics. The chloroplast genomes, ranging from 150,907bp to 152,858bp, exhibit a typical quadripartite structure: a large single-copy (LSC) region (83,044bp to 84,625bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (18,223bp to 18,673bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) (24,806bp to 25,201bp). These genomes encode 87 to 89 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 36 to 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes, with high conservation in size, structure, gene content, and order. Comparative analysis with other Asteraceae species' chloroplast genomes revealed notable similarities and structural variations, particularly in the IR regions. Nucleotide polymorphism analysis identified four genes-trnY-GUA, trnE-UUC, ycf1, and rrn23-with higher Pi values, suggesting potential hotspots for evolutionary studies. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) approaches provided new insights, proposing the reclassification of Himalaiella auriculata and Jacobaea raphanifolia as independent genera, distinct from Saussurea and Senecio. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the chloroplast genome structures and phylogenetic relationships of 14 Asteraceae species, offering critical data for future molecular identification, evolutionary biology, and population genetics research. The findings hold significant implications for the ongoing refinement of Asteraceae taxonomic classifications and enhance our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics within this complex family.

Investigating the causal association between gut microbiota and type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization.

Studies have shown that gut dysbiosis contributes to the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Identifying specific gut microbiota dysbiosis may provide insight into the pathogenesis of T2DM. This study investigated the causal relationship between gut microbiota and T2DM using meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR). In the first part, we searched for literature on gut microbiota and T2DM, and conducted a meta-analysis. We observed differences in glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting blood glucose levels in both groups. Second, we obtained GWAS data from genome-wide association study database 19 (GWAS). We used two-sample MR analysis to verify the forward and reverse causal associations between gut microbiota and T2DM. Additionally, we selected the European GWAS data from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) as a validation set for external validation of the MR analysis. In the third part, we aimed to clarify which gut microbiota contribute to the degree of causal association between group disorders and T2DM through multivariate MR analysis and Bayesian model averaging (MR-BMA). 1. According to the meta-analysis results, the glycated hemoglobin concentration in the gut probiotic intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group. Following treatment, fasting blood glucose levels in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group. 2. The results of two samples MR analysis revealed that there were causal relationships between six gut microbiota and T2DM. Genus Haemophilus and order Pasteurellaceae were negatively correlated with T2DM. Genus Actinomycetes, class Melanobacteria and genus Lactobacillus were positively correlated. Reverse MR analysis demonstrated that T2DM and gut microbiota did not have any reverse causal relationship. The external validation data set showed a causal relationship between gut microbiota and T2DM. 3. Multivariate MR analysis and MR-BMA results showed that the independent genus Haemophilus collection had the largest PP. Our research results suggest that gut microbiota is closely related to T2DM pathogenesis. The results of further MR research and an analysis of the prediction model indicate that a variety of gut microbiota disorders, including genus Haemophilus, are causally related to the development of T2DM. The findings of this study may provide some insight into the diagnosis and treatment of T2DM. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO.

Complete Genome and Comprehensive Analysis of Knorringia sibirica Chloroplast

Knorringia sibirica is a typical species of Polygonaceae with high medicinal and ecological value. However, there are few available phylogenetic and genetic studies about the chloroplast genome of K. sibirica. In the current study, a comprehensive examination of the chloroplast genome of K. sibirica was performed. The K. sibirica chloroplast genome is 161,384 bp, circular with a typical quadripartite structure, and comprised of guanine + cytosine content of 37.63%. The genome consists of 131 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Seventy simple sequence repeats were identified in the genome. When compared with three closely related species, the result revealed that the chloroplast genome of K. sibirica was conserved in genome composition and structure. The specific sites in the genome suitable for DNA barcodes were identified by calculation of the nucleotide diversity. Finally, a phylogenetic tree of 49 species in Polygonaceae was constructed using the whole chloroplast genome. The phylogenetic analysis suggested that Knorringia is an independent genus in the Polygonea tribe. This research could provide support for the utilization of genetic sources and the evolutionary study of K. sibirica.

Phylogenetic affiliation of Pedinomonas noctilucae and green Noctiluca scintillans nutritional dynamics in the Gulf of Mannar, Southeastern Arabian Sea

The present investigation focused on studying the phylogenetic position of the green Noctiluca endosymbiont, Pedinomonas noctilucae, collected from the Gulf of Mannar, India. In this study, we re-examined the evolutionary position of this endosymbiotic algae using rbcL sequences. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. noctilucae is distantly related to the Pedinomonas species, and formed a monophyletic clade with Marsupiomandaceae. Based on the phylogenetic association of endosymbiont with Maruspiomonadales it was concluded that the endosymbiont belongs to an independent genus within the family Marsupiomonadaceae. At the site of the bloom, Noctiluca scintillans was found to exhibit a dense monospecific proliferation, with an average cell density of 27.l88 × 103 cells L−1. The investigation revealed that the green Noctiluca during its senescent phase primarily relied on autotrophic nutrition, which was confirmed by the presence of a high number of trophonts, vegetatively reproducing cells (1.45 × 103 cells L−1) and the absence of food vacuoles.

On the classification of sphecodine bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Taxonomic notes are presented for the exclusively cleptoparasitic halictine bee subtribe Sphecodina (Halictinae: Halictini). Keys are presented to the Western and Eastern Hemisphere genera of Sphecondina. In the New World fauna, the genus Melissocleptis Gonçalves is considered a subgenus of Austrosphecodes Michener s. l ., and the following species transferred: Austrosphecodes ( Melissocleptis ) albifacies (Gibbs), A. ( M .)capriciosus (Schrottky), A. ( M .) coriae (Moure & Hurd), A. ( M .) diablotinus (Gibbs), A. ( M .) genaroi (Engel), A. ( M .) nigritus (Ashmead), A. ( M .) tainoi (Engel), A. ( M .) variabilis (Schrottky) comb. n. A key is provided to the subgenera of Microsphecodes Eickwort & Stage s. l ., with Trichosphecodes subgen. n., established for those species with elongate ocular setae. Keys are also presented for the species of Microsphecodes s. str. and Trichosphecodes, along with the descriptions of the species Microsphecodes ( Microsphecodes ) eickworti sp. n., M. ( M .) multirugosus sp. n., M. ( M .) quechua sp. n., and M. ( Trichosphecodes ) trichophthalmus sp. n. The Brazilian species Nesosphecodes depressus Gonçalves is transferred to Notoclops gen. n., resulting in the new combination Notoclops depressus (Gonçalves) comb. n. A key is presented to New World subgenera of Sphecodes Latreille, with the following new or resurrected groups: Proteraner Robertson, Drepanium Robertson, Sphecodium Robertson, Asphecodium subgen. n., and Boreosphecodes subgen. n. The following new species are described among New World Sphecodes : Sphecodes (Asphecodium) brevisulcatus sp. n., S. ( Sphecodium ) eustauros sp. n., S. ( S .) electrum sp. n., S. ( Sphecodes ) zacatuche sp. n. The genus Caenosphecodes gen. n. is proposed for Sphecodes pseudoredivivus Astafurova & Proshchalykin and S. redivivus Blüthgen, differing from Sphecodes by the elongate free part of the marginal cell, in this respect resembling New World Microsphecodes. This results in the combinations Caenosphecodes pseudoredivivus (Astafurova & Proshchalykin), C . sauteri (Meyer), C. simlaensis (Blüthgen), and C. redivivus (Blüthgen) comb. n. The currently employed characters for subgenera of Eupetersia Blüthgen s. l. fail to distinguish the groups. Accordingly, the key to subgenera is revised and the species newly organized as to subgenera. Cephalosphecodes subgen. n. is established for Eupetersia macrocephala Pauly and E . mandibulata Blüthgen, Xanthocleptis subgen. n. is proposed for E . reticulata (Benoist), and Pollinicleptis subgen. n. is erected for E . nathani Baker, E . malayensis (Blüthgen), E . sabahensis Pauly, and E . singaporensis Pauly. A new species of Nesoeupetersia , E. dnophera sp. n., is described from Sabah, Malaysia and a tentative key provided to species of the subgenus. Thrausmus Buysson and Callosphecodes Friese are treated as independent genera, and the latter considered close to Melittocleptes gen. n., with Melittocleptes insularis (Smith) comb. n. as type species. A key is presented to Old World subgenera of Sphecodes, with the following new or resurrected groups: Proteraneropsis subgen. n., Paradrepanium subgen. n., Eusphecodes subgen. n.,Sabulicola Verhoeff, Caenocleptes subgen. n., Xystoclops subgen. n., Callocleptes subgen. n., and Nomiocleptes subgen. n.

The imaginal morphology of the species Kangella brocha (Kang and Yang, 1995) from southern China (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae)

Kangella brocha (Kang & Yang, 1995), a mayfly species known on nymphs only, has been previously placed in three different genera. Here, their first-found adults and additional nymphs from southern China reveal some new characteristics. Apart from its elongated mouthparts, extended outer incisors, widened prothorax, and shortened caudal filaments in the nymph stage, the adult exhibits a robust thorax, straight forceps, and large penes with dorsal projections. These distinct features, observed in both immature and alate stages, provide compelling evidence that this species deserves an independent genus. Therefore, the genus Kangella Sartori, 2004 is reinstated, and this species is reclassified under it. Functionally, the outstanding outer incisor likely serves purposes such as digging or capturing prey. Our finding not only narrows the distribution gap between two populations of this species but also enriches the diversity of ephemerellids in terms of ecological adaptations.

Molecular Systematics and Divergence ofTorandNeolissochilusFishes (Cypriniforms: Cyprinidae) from Southeast Asia and South China

In Southeast Asia, mahseer fishes, such as the species ofTorandNeolissochilus, are significant native commercial fish. Their phylogeny and categorization have a convoluted history. In this study, the molecular systematics and divergence ofTorandNeolissochilusfishes from Southeast Asia and South China were examined using the partial or complete sequences of four mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I, cytochromeb, 16S, and ND4). This study substantiated the monophyly ofTorand supportedN. benasias an independent genus. The result supportedT. laterivittatusas a synonym ofT. sinensisandT. dongnaiensisas a synonym ofT. tambra. In addition, we presented the high diversity and species crypticity of these two taxa in Southeast Asia. The divergent time estimation indicatedTorandNeolissochilusspecies originated in the early Miocene (about 16.73 Ma), and the divergence of the genusTorand other species of the genusNeolissochilusbegan at about 12.86 Ma.

Description of Pseudocalidococcus azoricus gen. sp. nov. (Thermosynechococcaceae, Cyanobacteria), a Rare but Widely Distributed Coccoid Cyanobacteria

Coccoid cyanobacteria represent an important part of cyanobacterial freshwater diversity, with many studied strains in public databases identified as Synechococcus. This is a diverse genus, both morphologically and ecologically, with a global distribution. However, many of the so-called Synechococcus-like cyanobacteria strains could represent several independent genera that require further studies. In this work, four strains of a Synechococcus-like cyanobacteria isolated from freshwater lakes and terrestrial atmophytic habitats on São Miguel and Flores Islands (Azores archipelago) were studied genetically using the 16S rRNA and 16S–23S rRNA ITS, morphologically with light and transmission electron microscopy, and ecologically. A draft genome was produced from the reference strain by Illumina sequencing, which allowed a more complete phylogenetic study and a deeper taxonomic analysis, revealing a divergent phylogenetic evolution and low ANI and AAI values (69.4% and 66.3%, respectively) to Thermosynechococcus, the closest phylogenetic genus. Although morphologically similar to Synechococcus, the 16S rRNA and genome phylogenetic analysis placed the studied strains in a clade sister to Thermosynechococcus, inside the Thermosynechococcaceae. Thus, Pseudocalidococcus azoricus gen. sp. nov. is described as a new coccoid freshwater genus and species from the Azores archipelago. A detailed comparison with similar morphological taxa is provided, supporting the separation of the new genus. The 16S rRNA with a high genetic similarity to other strains from several continents identified as Synechococcus sp. suggests that the new genus probably has a worldwide distribution. Future studies should be performed to clarify the taxonomic identity of those strains.

Historical diversification of Pseudonympha Wallengren, 1857 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)

ABSTRACT The butterfly genus Pseudonympha and several related genera are endemic to southern Africa. Although many of the species are montane, some inhabit the arid interior of South Africa, offering an opportunity to study the palaeobiogeography of this biome. Morphological data (for all species of Pseudonympha and allied African and Asian genera) and molecular data (WG and COI genes for nine of the 15 species of Pseudonympha and all of the southern African endemic genera of Ypthimina) were compiled. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Pseudonympha apparently originated in the Cape Fold Mountains about 15 Mya ago and spread steadily eastwards and northwards along the Great Escarpment during the aridification of the region, perhaps assisted by orogeny in the east and oceanic cooling in the west. Aridification cycles seem to have intermittently isolated some early lineages in elevated habitats in the interior, so that those lineages show lower speciation rates (or perhaps higher extinction rates) than those in the east. Four species delineation techniques indicated that some species are taxonomically oversplit. Based on genetic polyphyly and morphological similarity, we propose that the status of P. swanepoeli be reduced to that of a subspecies of P. varii, such that all the north-eastern populations from Harrismith to Tzaneen fall under P. varii swanepoeli van Son stat. n., and all the southern populations fall under P. varii varii van Son stat. n. Ultimately, the diversification of both of these lineages seems tied to their host plants’ response to aridification brought on by continental drift and orogeny. Sympatric organisms (eg cicadas) with biologies focused around different resources (eg savanna trees) show other patterns of diversification. The phylogenetic analysis of the subtribe Ypthimina also supports the monophyly of Paternympha, paraphyly of Ypthima, recognition of Thymipa Moore stat. rev. as a phylogenetic independent genus, and new relationships for Strabena. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C3B34CBC-4BC2-44F3-8349-9DBC82FFBBF3

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Paratrichodina africana Kazubski and El-Tantawy, 1986 based on 18S rRNA gene data with the evolutionary hypothesis of trichodinids.

In this study, we provided the morphological data and the first 18S rRNA gene data of Paratrichodina africana Kazubski and El-Tantawy, 1986, isolated from hybrids of Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis mossambicus in Chongqing, China. Morphologically, P. africana is mainly characterized by the triangular blade and prominent anterior projection. The present population is consistent with the original populations in the overall appearance of the adhesive disc, and falls within the morphometry range of the original descriptions. Phylogenetically, P. africana was clustered into one large clade with Trichodinella and Tripartiella species, which was nested within Trichodina ones with strong support. By combining morphological and molecular data, our results revealed that the validity of the genus Paratrichodina was doubtful, and suggested that the three genera Trichodinella, Tripartiella, and Paratrichodina should be incorporated into one independent genus. In addition, we provided morphological and molecular data of additional eight trichodinids, and further performed the phylogenetic analysis and traced the evolution history of trichodinids' five morphological and bionomical characters for the first time by taking advantage of the current GenBank data. According to the present results, one evolutionary hypothesis of trichodinids was proposed as follows. The most recent common ancestor of trichodinids inhabiting the freshwater environment as a symbiont of vertebrates should evolve from the ancestor with a long-spiral adoral ciliary turn. The first differentiated Trichodina species should be parasitic on one vertebrate distributed in the freshwater environment. During their evolution, some trichodinids expanded to the marine environment, and some switched to invertebrates in the freshwater environment. The denticle of some freshwater Trichodina species became narrower, and the adoral ciliary spiral turn got shorter, forming the ancestor-oid organism with a short-spiral adoral ciliary turn. Then, those Trichodinella, Tripartiella, and Paratrichodina species might evolve from those ancestor-oid organisms with short-spiral adoral ciliary turn.

(2955) Proposal to conserve the name Didymium against Mucilago and Spumaria (Physarales, Myxomycetes)

(2955) Proposal to conserve the name <i>Didymium</i> against <i>Mucilago</i> and <i>Spumaria</i> (<i>Physarales</i>, <i>Myxomycetes</i>)

Mitogenomic phylogeny of Muricidae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda)

AbstractMuricidae is one of the most species‐rich and morphologically diverse families in Gastropoda, with a worldwide distribution. The classification of Muricidae has traditionally been based on shell and radular characteristics; however, the phylogenetic relationships within the family are debated due to morphological convergence and plasticity. In this study, to explore the phylogenetic relationships of Muricidae, we sequenced 11 muricid mitochondrial (mt) genomes and compared them with 13 previously reported complete muricid mt genomes. All muricid mt genomes shared the same gene arrangement and exhibited conserved genome size and nucleotide composition. Three‐nucleotide deletions in atp8 and nad4, and three‐nucleotide insertions in nad2 were detected in Rapaninae. Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses supported the monophyly of each subfamily studied (Ocenebrinae, Muricinae, Rapaninae and Ergalataxinae). Ergalataxinae was recovered as the sister taxon of Rapaninae, refuting the traditional morphology‐based placement of Ergalataxinae within Rapaninae. In Rapaninae, Indothais was confirmed to be monophyletic and determined to be a valid genus. Similarly, Drupina was determined to be an independent genus rather than a subgenus of Drupa. Purpura was recovered as a paraphyletic group, with Purpura panama being sister to Reishia + Rapana + Indothais and clustering with Purpura bufo.

Genomic Analysis of a New Freshwater Cyanophage Lbo240-yong1 Suggests a New Taxonomic Family of Bacteriophages.

A worldwide ecological issue, cyanobacterial blooms in marine and freshwater have caused enormous losses in both the economy and the environment. Virulent cyanophages-specifically, infecting and lysing cyanobacteria-are key ecological factors involved in limiting the overall extent of the population development of cyanobacteria. Over the past three decades, reports have mainly focused on marine Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus cyanophages, while information on freshwater cyanophages remained largely unknown. In this study, a novel freshwater cyanophage, named Lbo240-yong1, was isolated via the double-layer agar plate method using Leptolyngbya boryana FACHB-240 as a host. Transmission electron microscopy observation illustrated the icosahedral head (50 ± 5 nm in diameter) and short tail (20 ± 5 nm in length) of Lbo240-yong1. Experimental infection against 37 cyanobacterial strains revealed that host-strain-specific Lbo240-yong1 could only lyse FACHB-240. The complete genome of Lbo240-yong1 is a double-stranded DNA of 39,740 bp with a G+C content of 51.99%, and it harbors 44 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). A Lbo240-yong1 ORF shared the highest identity with a gene of a filamentous cyanobacterium, hinting at a gene exchange between the cyanophage and cyanobacteria. A BLASTn search illustrated that Lbo240-yong1 had the highest sequence similarity with the Phormidium cyanophage Pf-WMP4 (89.67% identity, 84% query coverage). In the proteomic tree based on genome-wide sequence similarities, Lbo240-yong1, three Phormidium cyanophages (Pf-WMP4, Pf-WMP3, and PP), one Anabaena phage (A-4L), and one unclassified Arthronema cyanophage (Aa-TR020) formed a monophyletic group that was more deeply diverging than several other families. Pf-WMP4 is the only member of the independent genus Wumpquatrovirus that belongs to the Caudovircetes class. Pf-WMP3 and PP formed the independent genus Wumptrevirus. Anabaena phage A-4L is the only member of the independent Kozyakovvirus genus. The six cyanopodoviruses share similar gene arrangements. Eight core genes were found in them. We propose, here, to set up a new taxonomic family comprising the six freshwater cyanopodoviruses infecting filamentous cyanobacteria. This study enriched the field's knowledge of freshwater cyanophages.

Seed Morphology and Germination of Native Tulipa Species

Seeds are important for the preservation and reproduction of wild tulips in situ, but only a few studies have been carried out on their seed morphology and germination characteristics. In this study, the eight wild tulip species native to China were used. Their seed morphology and superficial ornamentation, the relationship between seed morphology and germination, and the effects of manipulating incubation temperature, seed coat, and gibberellin (GA3) application were studied. The seeds are diverse in shape, size, color, weight, and superficial ornamentation, as observed by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Tulipa edulis (Miq.) Baker had a half-moon-shaped seed with the embryo invisible and irregular striped ornamentation, which was different from the other seven species that had sector-shaped seeds with the embryo visible and irregular reticulate ornamentation. Especially, the muri feature and the decorative pattern in meshes were highly variable and decisive at both section and species levels of Tulipa L. We also classified the seed dormancy type of the eight wild tulip species as nondeep complex (MPD). Embryo length, embryo/seed length ratio, and seed coat color were correlated with germination (T50), while the T50 of eight wild tulip species was still mainly affected by optimized temperatures of 4 °C and/or 4/16 °C. Gibberellin (GA3) has a positive regulating effect on the T50 of tulip species, and 100 μM gibberellin was considered the most effective concentration. These results highlight the taxonomic significance of the genus Tulipa based on seed testa morphology, and we support the notion that T. edulis should be regarded as an independent genus—Amana. Meanwhile, our study provided a way that the seed germination of wild tulip species could be shortened within 2 months under the experimental conditions, which will help to rapidly multiply and utilize wild tulip resources.

Description of Fervidibacillus gen. nov. with Two Species, Fervidibacillus albus sp. nov., and Fervidibacillus halotolerans sp. nov., Isolated from Tidal Flat Sediments and Emendation of Misclassificed Taxa in the Genus Caldibacillus.

Two Gram-stain-positive, motile, endospore-forming, facultatively anaerobic strains, designated MEBiC13591T and MEBiC13594T, were isolated from tidal flat sediment of the Incheon City on the west coast of Korea. Growth of both novel strains was observed at pH 5-9 (optimum, pH 7-7.5), and in 0-8% NaCl (optimum, 2% for MEBiC13591T and 3% for MEBiC13594T). Strains MEBiC13591T and MEBiC13594T grew optimally at 50°C, (37.5-56.1°C) and 44°C (20.7-50.7°C), respectively. The main cellular fatty acids of strain MEBiC13591T were iso-C15: 0, anteiso-C15: 0, iso-C16: 0, iso-C17: 0 and anteiso-C17: 0, while those for strain MEBiC13594T were C14: 0, iso-C14: 0, iso-C15: 0, anteiso-C15: 0 and C16: 0. In both taxa, the major isoprenoid was MK-7. The genomic DNA G + C contents were 34.1 and 37.0mol% for MEBiC13591T and MEBiC13594T, respectively. A 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the novel strains showed high similarity with members of the genera Aeribacillus (95.0%) and Caldibacillus (93.5-94.5%); however, showed lower than 90% with Caldibacillus debilis TfT. Phylogenetic and Phylogenomic analysis revealed that two novel strains comprised distinct phyletic line with members formerly assigned to Caldibacillus. Based on genomic indices, such as AAI and ANI, members formerly affiliated with Caldibacillus and Bacillus as well as the novel strains should be classified into five independent genera. Based on the phenotypic, genomic and biochemical data, strains MEBiC13591T and MEBiC13594T represent two novel species in the novel genus, for which the names Fervidibacillus albus gen. nov., sp. nov. (MEBiC13591T [= KCCM 43317T = KCTC 43181T = JCM 33662T = MCCC 1K04565T]), and Fervidibacillus halotolerans sp. nov. (MEBiC13594T [= KCTC 43182T = JCM 34001T]) are proposed. Three additional genera Caldifermentibacillus, Palidibacillus, and Perspicuibacillus are also proposed by reclassification of the several species with valid names that formerly affiliated with the genera Caldibacillus.

Sexual dimorphism as a facilitator of worker caste evolution in ants.

Ant societies are primarily composed of females, whereby labor is divided into reproductive, or queen, and non-reproductive, or worker, castes. Workers and reproductive queens can differ greatly in behavior, longevity, physiology, and morphology, but queen-worker differences are usually modest relative to the differences in males. Males are short-lived, typically do not provide the colony with labor, often look like a different species, and only occur seasonally. It is these differences that have historically led to their neglect in social insect research, but also why they may facilitate novel phenotypic variation - by increasing the phenotypic variability that is available for selection. In this study, worker variation in multivariate size-shape space paralleled male-queen variation. As worker variation increased within species, so did sexual variation. Across species in two independent genera, using head width as a proxy for body size, sexual size dimorphism correlated with worker polymorphism regardless of whether the ancestral condition was large or small worker/sexual dimorphism. Mounting molecular data support the hypothesis that queen-worker caste determination has co-opted many genes/pathways from sex determination. The molecular evidence, coupled with the observations from this study, leads to the hypothesis that sexual selection and selection on colony-level traits are non-independent, and that sexual dimorphism may even have facilitated the evolution of the distinct worker caste.