Molecular Comparison Research Articles

Molecular identification of whole squids and calamari at fairs and markets in regions of Latin America

The commercial importance of cephalopods has increased considerably, being an important fishing resource. However, during the preparation for commercialization of those species, they suffer the process known as “finning” which includes removing and separating the head, arm, skin or even having the body structure cut into rings, which ends up making it difficult or often prevents the identification of the species, which can lead to replacements. In this sense, the present study aimed to use the large ribosomal region, rrnL (16S rDNA) to genetically identify cephalopod species sold in markets and fairs in Latin America. Whole and processed samples were collected from supermarkets and directly from local fishers the approximate collection location. Each generated sequence was submitted to the blastn portal for molecular comparison and included in the database for subsequent genetic identification. Our results indicate labeling errors in samples from the State of Pará that contained the species Dosidicus gigas found only in the Pacific Ocean and were generically labeled as “National Lula”. No type of substitution was found among the samples that were being sold at fairs and markets, only labeling errors. Thus, our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the rrnL for identifying species and evaluating labeling errors.

Molecular characterization and comparison of tomato zonate spot virus isolated in Japan and China.

The complete genome sequence of Orthotospovirus tomatozonae (tomato zonate spot virus, TZSV) isolated in Japan was determined and compared with that of Chinese isolates. The lengths of the S, M, and L segments of the RNA genomes of the Japanese isolate (TZSV-TZ1-3) were 3194, 4675, and 8916 nucleotides, respectively, which were similar to the Chinese isolates. Moreover, the eight motifs on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene were conserved in both TZSV-TZ1-3 and Chinese TZSV isolates (TZSV-Bidens and TZSV-Tomato-YN). The nucleotide identity of the genes among the TZSV isolates was more than 94%, indicating low diversity among viruses. The phylogenetic analysis and the prediction of the cleavage sites in the glycoprotein showed that the TZSV-TZ1-3 isolate was closely related to TZSV-Tomato-YN isolated from China. However, there were unique frameshifts and deletions on the RdRp and glycoprotein genes of the TZSV-Tomato-YN isolate, suggesting that both isolates were genetically distinct. The findings of this study indicate that the TZSV-TZ1-3 isolate originated in China and show the sequence diversity among TZSV isolates.

Nematode isolation from Creophilus maxillosus (L.) (Staphilinidae) with a description of Rhabditidoides eutrophicola n. sp. (Diplogastridae) and some notes on Diplogastrellus gracilis (Bütschli, 1876) Paramonov, 1952 (Diplogastridae)

Summary Nematodes associated with the carcass beetle Creophilus maxillosus were examined. The beetles were collected from the decomposed body of a dead racoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides in Kyoto, Japan, and dissected for examination of internal parasites. The dissected beetles were kept on agar plates for isolation of phoretic species. Although no parasites were found, three species of phoretic associates, Caenorhabditis plicata, Diplogastrellus cf. gracilis and Rhabditidoides sp., were recognised, and two species were later successfully cultured as laboratory strains. Diplogastrellus cf. gracilis and Rhabditidoides sp. were compared to an authentic strain of D. gracilis (German strain, SB306) and two presumably conspecific strains (German strain RS5443 and Japanese strain NKZ346), respectively, by mating experiments and molecular sequence comparison. The comparisons revealed that D. cf. gracilis is conspecific to D. gracilis SB306, and three Rhabditidoides strains are new conspecific species. The typological and molecular characters of D. gracilis are described and compared with other populations of the species, and Rhabditidoides sp. is taxonomically described as Rhabditidoides eutrophicola n. sp.

Description of a new species of the Asian newt genus Tylototriton (Amphibia, Urodela, Salamandridae) from Hunan Province, China

The newt genus Tylototriton is widely distributed in east, southeast, and south Asia. Previous studies have shown that basic surveys of this genus are far from comprehensive, and unknown species still exist within the group. In this study, we described a new species of this genus, Tylototriton gaowangjienensissp. nov., from Gaowangjie National Nature Reserve in Hunan Province, China, based on evidence from molecular identification and morphological comparisons. Additionally, we conducted phylogenetic analysis of the genus to elucidate the taxonomic status of the new species. Based on combined mitochondrial 16S rRNA and ND2 gene sequences, the phylogenetic tree supported the new species as a member of the T. wenxianensis species subclade in the subgenus Yaotriton. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characteristics: (1) medium-sized body; (2) finger tips extending beyond the snout while forelimbs stretched forward; (3) tips of forelimbs and hindlimbs reaching and overlapping when folded towards the body; (4) snout edge round; (5) absence of small papillae in the male cloacal fissure; (6) dorsal ridges narrow, with width smaller than the eye diameter; (7) head length (HDL) greater than head width (HDW) (HDL/HDW = 1.04~1.22); (8) orange markings absence on the parotoid; (9) nodule-like warts on body sides continuous; (10) vomerine teeth not connected at the tip, extending to the occipital bone at the posterior end.

First Modern Morphological and Molecular Description of Saccocoelium Cephali Larvae Stages (Digenea: Haploporidae) from the Black Sea.

Knowledge of haploporid trematode larvae is very poor. Until recently, only scattered reports from the Black and Medditeranean Seas were known. The present research is the first report of haploporid cercariae S. cephali from the gastropod Hydrobia acuta inhabiting the Black Sea. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the larvae of one species from the Haploporidae family. Hydrobia acuta molluscs were collected in the estuary of the Chernaya River (the Black Sea) during 2011-2013 and examined for trematode larvae. Found parthenitae were drawn and preserved for DNA extractions. Morphological features were compared to nominal species, and molecular comparisons were made of the subunit ribosomal DNA with other Haploporidae species. The haploporid parthenitae were found in the gonads of Hydrobia acuta molluscs. Most of the morphological characteristics of the specimens investigated agree with those of Saccococoelium sp. and are closest to those of S. cephali by shape and length of the body, ratio of suckers, ratio of tail length to body, shape, and size of the pharynx. Phylogenetic analysis from our study generated with Bayesian algorithm showed that studied cercariae specimens from the Black Sea were within the hapolporine clade and closely related to S. cephali from Spain. Morphological characteristics of cercariae emerging from Hydrobia acuta from the Black Sea and the analysis of partial 28S rDNA sequences support the conspecificity of the parasite with S. cephali mature worms from the Mediterranean Sea.

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal eight novel species of Pestalotiopsis (Sporocadaceae, Amphisphaeriales) from southern China.

Plants play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the biosphere, but often suffer from pathogenic fungi during growth. During our continuing mycological surveys of plant pathogens from terrestrial plants in Jiangxi and Yunnan provinces, China, 24 strains of Pestalotiopsis isolated from diseased and healthy tissues of plant leaves represented eight new species, viz. P.alpinicola, P.camelliicola, P.cyclosora, P.eriobotryae, P.gardeniae, P.hederae, P.machiliana and P.mangifericola. Multi-locus (ITS, tef1-α and tub2) phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference to reveal their taxonomic placement within Pestalotiopsis. Both molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons supported them as eight independent taxa within Pestalotiopsis. Illustrations and descriptions of these eight taxa were provided, in conjunction with comparisons with closely related taxa in the genus. This work highlights the large potential for new fungal species associated with diseased plant leaves.

Shear wave elastography of the breast—Immunohistopathology and molecular subtype comparisons

AbstractIntroductionThis study evaluated the shear wave elastography (SWE) in kilopascals (kPa) and metres per second (m/s) of immunohistochemical (IHC) factors, molecular subtypes, and the relationship between Kiel‐67 (Ki67) and IHC factors to explore their prognostic significance in malignant breast cancer.MethodsThis single‐centre study included 303 patients with 405 solid breast lesions, biopsied and examined using B‐mode ultrasound and SWE. Elastography mean (Emean), maximum (Emax), and ratio (Eratio) variables in kPa and m/s were calculated for each lesion.ResultsAmong 405 samples, 114 malignant lesions were identified. In IHC comparisons, only the E ratio (m/s) showed a significant difference, with Ki67 high significantly greater than Ki67 low (p = 0.016). Molecular subtype comparisons using kPa and m/s values revealed significant differences in Emean and Emax (p < 0.05), with HER2+ subtypes showing the highest values. Correlation analyses showed a significant relationship between Ki67 and molecular subtypes for Eratio in both kPa and m/s (p < 0.05). Triple‐negative cytokeratin (CK5/6) positive was significantly greater than CK5/6 negative for Eratio in kPa (14.1 ± 3.9 vs. 7.9 ± 0.7, p = 0.029) and m/s (3.7 ± 0.5 vs. 2.8 ± 0.4, p = 0.021).ConclusionBoth kPa and m/s SWE variables identify similar yet slightly different results for prognostic IHC factors and molecular subtypes. Examining both kPa and m/s SWE variables may be useful as a non‐invasive method for predicting IHC factors and molecular subtypes to characterise breast lesions before biopsy or surgery.

Carcinoplaxmistio Ng & Mitra, 2019 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Goneplacidae): additional records and genetic differentiation of allied taxa.

The goneplacid crab, Carcinoplaxmistio Ng & Mitra, 2019, was originally described from West Bengal, India, in the northern Indian Ocean. Additional material of C.mistio from off Tamil Nadu in the southeast of India revealed a high degree of size-associated variation in the structures of the anterolateral tooth of the carapace, chelipeds, and male and female pleons. In addition to an in-depth morphological examination of C.mistio, this study also records the natural coloration of the species and conducts a genetic comparison (with mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes) with its close relatives, C.haswelli (Miers, 1884) and C.purpurea Rathbun, 1914. Molecular comparison of C.mistio with its morphologically closest congener, C.haswelli from northern Australia and the western Pacific, corroborates their status as separate species. The genetic sequence of C.mistio, however, is similar to that of C.purpurea from the West Pacific, although these two species can easily be distinguished by distinct carapace and ambulatory leg characters. The present study provides some possible explanations for the genetic and morphological incongruence observed between C.mistio and C.purpurea and highlights the need for a detailed molecular study for Carcinoplax H. Milne Edwards, 1852, to appreciate the evolution of various morphological characters in the genus.

Comprehensive analysis of microbiome biodiversity in popular date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit varieties

Due to its nutritional value and health benefits, the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an essential dietary food crop throughout Middle Eastern and African countries. Consumers are concerned about the possible microbial contamination of dates, especially since most dates arriving in local markets are unprocessed. The absence of processing increases the possibility of microbial contamination, which raises the probability of microbial contamination. This study aims to analyze and evaluate the variability of fungal and bacterial microbiota identified in the most popular date palm fruits in Saudi Arabia. The study assessed ten date variety fruits from the most popular date palm varieties for consumption in Saudi Arabia and analyzed the microbial count. Morphological and molecular characterization and comparison of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences identified 78 fungi, including 36 distinct species across 15 fungal genera. Alternaria, Fusarium, Curvilaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium were the most frequent genera among the ten fruit cultivars studied, according to ITS-rDNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, 36 bacterial isolates were obtained from ten date varieties studied, each with a unique colony morphology. These isolates were identified based on sequence alignment and comparison of their 16S rDNA internal spacer regions to those available in public databases. The results showed that the bacterial isolates included 15 species from five bacterial genera. The results suggested that Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, and Brucella were the prevailing genera among the ten tested fruit varieties. Some bacterial genera, such as Brucella, Achromobacter, and Stenotrophomonas, are well-known potential human pathogens. Chaetomium globosum was also recognized as air pollution causing adverse health effects such as allergies and as the causal agent of human fungal infections among the tested date varieties; the Rashodiah type exhibited the highest fungal contamination, whereas the Sagai variety displayed the lowest fungal contamination. Conversely, the Sukkari, Barhi, and Mejdool varieties were the most contaminated with bacteria among the ten tested varieties, while the Khalas variety showed the least bacterial contamination. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study provides the initial comprehensive account of the molecular and morphological identification of all fungal and bacterial genera associated with date palm (P. dactylifera) fruits.

David versus Goliath: An interspecific comparison between small-sized Halicryptus spinulosus and large-sized Halicryptus higginsi (Priapulida)

Halicryptus includes two priapulid species with highly different adult body sizes, small-sized Halicryptus spinulosus von Siebold, 1849 and large-sized Halicryptus higginsi Shirley and Storch, 1999. Due to ambiguity of diagnostic characters from juvenile to adult size and between species, a detailed morphological and molecular comparison is needed to resolve the distribution and characteristics of each species. We investigate an adult paratype specimen of H. higginsi, and young adult specimens of H. spinulosus from the Beaufort Sea and H. spinulosus from Kandalaksha Gulf, White Sea. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial CO1 gene confirm the existence of two species of Halicryptus, a wide distribution of H. spinulosus across the Northern Hemisphere and the co-occurrence of both species in the Beaufort Sea. Our morphological analyses reveal undocumented characters for Halicryptus, such as the presence of three different sizes of buccal papillae, scattered small trunk papillae, and a loose ring of flosculus-tubulus-complexes on the posterior trunk. For both species, we revise characters, such as the number of long introvert retractors, pharynx protractors and lateral cusps of anterior teeth, and the maximum number of scalids in a row in H. spinulosus. We propose a total of ten reliable and potential diagnostic characters distinguishing the two species and revise the terminology of Halicryptus-specific characters due to inconsistency in the literature. In addition, we discuss the effect of body size on selected morphological traits.

Scorpion α-toxin LqhαIT specifically interacts with a glycan at the pore domain of voltage-gated sodium channels

Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels sense membrane potential and drive cellular electrical activity. The deathstalker scorpion α-toxin LqhαIT exerts a strong action potential prolonging effect on Nav channels. To elucidate the mechanism of action of LqhαIT, we determined a 3.9Å cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of LqhαIT in complex with the Nav channel from Periplaneta americana (NavPas). We found that LqhαIT binds to voltage sensor domain 4 and traps it in an "S4 down" conformation. The functionally essential C-terminal epitope of LqhαIT forms an extensive interface with the glycan scaffold linked to Asn330 of NavPas that augments a small protein-protein interface between NavPas and LqhαIT. A combination of molecular dynamics simulations, structural comparisons, and prior mutagenesis experiments demonstrates the functional importance of this toxin-glycan interaction. These findings establish a structural basis for the specificity achieved by scorpion α-toxins and reveal the conserved glycan as an essential component of the toxin-binding epitope.

A New Species of Cyrtodactylus tibetanus Group (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Xizang Autonomous Region, China.

A new Cyrtodactylus species, C. laevissp. nov., from the dry-hot valleys near the Yarlung Zangbo River in Re Village, Jindong Countryside, Lang County, Linzhi City, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, is described herein based upon the integrative taxonomic results combining molecular phylogenetic systematics and morphological characteristic comparisons. Our molecular phylogeny was inferred by combining three mitochondrial gene fragments (16S/CO1/ND2), and it indicated a distinct differentiation between the new species and C. tibetanus species complex, with obvious genetic distances (16S 9.9-11.8%/CO1 16.5-18.2%/ND2 16.6-18.5%) detected, supporting its validity. Morphologically, the new species can be easily distinguished from its congers by the following characters: (1) medium size (SVL 48.58-50.92 mm), (2) tubercles on dorsum sparse, (3) tail segments absent and tubercles on tails absent, (4) supralabials 10-12 and infralabials 8-10, (5) interorbital scales between anterior corners of the eyes 28-32, (6) scale rows at midbody 96-98, (7) ventral scales between mental and cloacal slit 145-153, (8) ventral scale rows 41-45, and (9) 4 to 5 white-yellow transverse bands with brown dots and black merges between the nape and sacrum. The description of C. laevissp. nov. increased the total species number of C. tibetanus group to three, and the total Cyrtodactylus species number in Xizang to six and in China to eleven. The new species is currently only known from the type locality with its extremely small populations and needs future surveys to reveal its distribution range, population status, natural history, and mechanisms so that the new species can coexist with Altiphylax medogense.

A new species of Aegla (Decapoda, Anomura, Aeglidae) from the Paranapanema watershed, southeastern Brazil

Abstract A new species of Aegla is described and illustrated from Alto Paranapanema (São Paulo State), a sub-basin of the Paranapanema watershed. The new species is compared to all seven species of Aegla currently known from the Paranapanema watershed using both morphological and mitochondrial genetic (COI) characters. Molecular sequence comparison analysis also suggested that several records from the Paranapanema watershed previously attributed to Aegla castro actually belong to different species. Opportunity is taken to provide a photograph of the holotype of A. castro (type locality Iapó River, State of Paraná, Tibagi sub-basin, Paranapanema watershed).

Molecular comparison of ergosterol biosynthesis pathway related genes to explore azole resistance in environmental fungal isolates from Costa Rican mangrove

Molecular comparison of ergosterol biosynthesis pathway related genes to explore azole resistance in environmental fungal isolates from Costa Rican mangrove

Molecular Differences With Therapeutic Implications in Early-Onset Compared With Average-Onset Biliary Tract Cancers.

Early-onset biliary tract cancer (eoBTC) is among the fast-growing subset of early-onset cancers, yet little is known about its biology. We sought to identify novel molecular characteristics of eoBTC in relation to average-onset BTC (aoBTC) using a real-world multiomics data set. The study comprised patients with BTC whose tumors underwent molecular analyses at Caris Life Sciences and were categorized by age (<50 years for eoBTC, ≥50 years for aoBTC). P values were adjusted for multiple testing and considered significant at Q < 0.05 (molecular comparisons) or Q < 0.25 (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis [GSEA]). Insurance claims data were used for survival analysis. The study included 5,587 patients with BTC (453 eoBTC, median age = 44 years and 5,134 aoBTC, median age = 68 years). FGFR2 fusion (15.7% in eoBTC v 5.9% in aoBTC) and NIPBL fusion (1.1% v 0%) were significantly more prevalent in eoBTC (both Q < 0.001). The interferon gamma-IFG score (fold change [FC], 1.1; Q = 0.01) and T-cell inflammation score (FC, 17.3; Q = 0.03) were significantly higher in aoBTC. On GSEA, angiogenesis was enriched in eoBTC (normalized enrichment score [NES] = 1.51; Q = 0.16), whereas IFG (NES = -1.58; Q = 0.06) and inflammatory response (NES = -1.46; Q = 0.18) were enriched in aoBTC. The median overall survival (OS) was 16.5 (eoBTC) versus 13.3 months (aoBTC), hazard ratio = 0.86, P = .004. The median OS by FGFR2 fusion (with fusion v without) was 21.7 versus 15.0 months (P = .47) for eoBTC and 18.6 versus 12.2 months (P < .001) for aoBTC. We identified crucial differences including higher prevalence of FGFR2 fusions in eoBTC and variations in immunotherapy-related markers. Better outcomes in eoBTC were affected by the FGFR2 fusion status. Our findings underscore the need for ensuring access to next-generation sequencing testing, including prompt identification of actionable targets.

MolGC: molecular geometry comparator algorithm for bond length mean absolute error computation on molecules.

Density Functional Theory (DFT) is extensively used in theoretical and computational chemistry to study molecular and crystal properties across diverse fields, including quantum chemistry, materials physics, catalysis, biochemistry, and surface science. Despite advances in DFT hardware and software for optimized geometries, achieving consensus in molecular structure comparisons with experimental counterparts remains a challenge. This difficulty is exacerbated by the lack of automated bond length comparison tools, resulting in labor-intensive and error-prone manual processes. To address these challenges, we propose MolGC, a Molecular Geometry Comparator algorithm that automates the comparison of optimized geometries from different theoretical levels. MolGC calculates the mean absolute error (MAE) of bond lengths by integrating data from various DFT software. It provides interactive and customizable visualization of geometries, enabling users to explore different views for enhanced analysis. In addition, it saves MAE computations for further analysis and offers a comprehensive statistical summary of the results. MolGC effectively addresses complex graph labeling challenges, ensuring accurate identification and categorization of bonds in diverse chemical structures. It achieves a 98.91% average rate in correct bond label assignments on an antibiotics dataset, showcasing its effectiveness for comparing molecular bond lengths across geometries of varying complexity and size. The executable file and software resources for running MolGC can be downloaded from https://github.com/AbimaelGP/MolGC/tree/main .

Identification of potential PIM-2 inhibitors via ligand-based generative models, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.

Proviral Integrations of Moloney-2 (PIM-2) kinase is a promising target for various cancers and other diseases, and its inhibitors hold potential for treating related diseases. However, there is currently no clinically available PIM-2 inhibitor. In this study, we constructed a generative model for de novo PIM-2 inhibitor design based on artificial intelligence, performed molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to develop an efficient PIM-2 inhibitor generative model and discover potential PIM-2 inhibitors. First, we designed a generative model based on a Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) framework combined with a transfer learning strategy and generated a new PIM-2 small molecule library using existing active drug databases. The generated compound library was then virtually screened by molecular docking and scaffold similarity comparison, identifying 10 initial hit compounds with better performance. Next, using the inhibitor in the crystal structure as a positive control, we performed two rounds of MD simulations, with lengths of 100ns and 500ns, respectively, to study the dynamic stability of the protein-ligand systems of the 10 compounds with PIM-2. Analyzed the interactions with key hinge region residues, binding free energies, and changes in the ATP pocket size. The generative model demonstrates good molecular generation capability and can generate efficient novel molecules with similar physicochemical properties as active PIM-2 drugs. Among the 10 initially selected hit compounds, 5 compounds C3 (-29.69kcal/mol), C4 (-33.31kcal/mol), C5 (-28.59kcal/mol), C8 (-34.68kcal/mol), and C9 (-25.88kcal/mol) have higher binding energies with PIM-2 than the positive drug 3YR (-26.18kcal/mol). The MD simulation results are consistent with the docking analysis, these compounds have lower and more stable RMSD values for the complex systems with the reported positive drug 3YR and PIM-2 complex system. They can form long-term stable interactions with active site and the hinge region of PIM-2, which suggests these compounds are likely to have potent inhibitory effects on PIM-2. This study provides an efficient generative model for PIM-2 inhibitor research and discovers 5 potential novel PIM-2 inhibitors.

Phylogeny and ultrastructure of a non-toxigenic dinoflagellate Amphidoma fulgens sp. nov. (Amphidomataceae, Dinophyceae), with a wide distribution across Asian Pacific

Amphidoma languida, a marine thecate dinoflagellate that produces the lipophilic toxin azaspiracids (AZAs), is primarily found in the Atlantic. Although this species has not been recorded in the Asian Pacific, environmental DNAs related to Am. languida have been widely detected in the region by metabarcoding analysis. Their morphology and AZA production remain unclear. In this study, the morphology, ultrastructure, phylogeny, and AZA production of nine Amphidoma strains isolated from Japan, Malaysia, and Philippines were investigated. Phylogenetic trees inferred from rDNAs (SSU, ITS, and LSU rDNA) showed monophyly of the nine Pacific strains and were sister to the Am. languida clade, including the toxigenic strains from the Atlantic. Cells were ellipsoid, 8.7–16.7 µm in length and 7.4–14.0 µm in width, with a conspicuous apical pore complex. A large nucleus in the hyposome, parietal chloroplast with a spherical pyrenoid in the episome, and refractile bodies were observed. Thecal tabulation was typical of Amphidoma, Po, cp, X, 6ʹ, 6ʹʹ, 6C, 5S, 6ʹʹʹ, 2ʹʹʹʹ. A ventral pore was located on the anterior of 1ʹ plate, beside the suture to 6ʹ plate. The presence of a ventral depression, on the anterior of anterior sulcal plate, was different from Am. languida. A large antapical pore, containing approximately 10 small pores, was observed. Cells were apparently smaller than Am. trioculata, a species possessing three pores (ventral pore, ventral depression, and antapical pore). TEM showed the presence of crystalline structures, resembling guanine crystals, and cytoplasmic invaginations into the pyrenoid matrix. Flagellar apparatus lacking the striated root connective is similar to peridinioids and related dinoflagellates. AZAs were not detected from the Pacific strains by LC-MS/MS. This non-toxigenic Amphidoma species, here we propose as Amphidoma fulgens sp. nov., is widely distributed in the Asian Pacific. Moreover, molecular comparison also suggested that most of the environmental DNA sequences previously reported as Am. languida or related sequences from the Asian Pacific were attributable to Am. fulgens.

Two novel Pleosporales species isolated from the bark of Acer saccharum.

During a survey of culturable microfungi from the bark of sugar maple (Acer saccharum), Atrocalyx glutinosus and Nigrograna rubescens, two novel species of Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes) were isolated from several locations in eastern Ontario, Canada. Formal species descriptions are presented based on unique colony phenotypes and micromorphological characteristics and supported using multi-locus molecular phylogenetic comparisons with similar species. Both A. glutinosus and N. rubescens produce pycnidial asexual morphs in culture. As their names imply, under specific culture conditions, A. glutinosus excretes large amounts of the glutinous polysaccharide pullulan and N. rubescens produces a dark red naphthoquinone pigment that diffuses in the culture medium. Citation: Mack JN, Sproule A, Shields SW, Seifert KA, Smith M, Overy DP (2024). Two novel Pleosporales species isolated from the bark of Acer saccharum . Fungal Systematics and Evolution 13: 1-14. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2024.13.01.

Morphological and molecular data suggest the presence of cryptic diversity within Dermacentor nitens (Acari: Ixodidae) in Colombia&lt;/p &gt;

Of the 44 species within the genus Dermacentor (Acari: Ixodidae) worldwide, nine are found in the Neotropics and four are endemic to this region. In Colombia, located in the northwestern corner of South America, there are two species of the genus: Dermacentor imitans restricted to the trans-Andean Pacific region, and Dermacentor nitens widely distributed in the country. Elsewhere, D. nitens is found in both the Nearctic and Neotropics, from southern USA to northern Argentina. In the Neotropics, D. nitens is widely distributed including records in Caribbean islands. Molecular analyses of D. nitens collected in the Amazon region of Colombia have shown genetic differences with specimens from other localities of the country, although morphological differences have not been explored. We performed morphological and molecular comparisons of individuals from two natural regions of Colombia: the Orinoquia, and the Amazon. The morphological and morphometric results show that females and males are grouped in two morphotypes: morphotype I from the Orinoquia region, and morphotype II from Leticia in the Amazon region. The molecular analyses supported the morphological results and showed the formation of two well-differentiated sister clades within D. nitens, with divergences between both morphotypes of 3–4% and 5–6% for the 16S rRNA and COI genes, respectively. Species delimitation analyzes and the Poisson Tree Processes model tentatively suggest the presence of two species within the sequences associated with D. nitens in Colombia. The first represented by the sequences from the Orinoquia region evaluated here, together with sequences from other regions of Colombia and other Neotropical countries such as Brazil, Panama, and French Guiana. The second is represented by the sequences of individuals from Leticia, in the Amazon region of Colombia. The results highlight that D. nitens might represent a species complex, but further sampling, experimental crosses, and studies at the level of complete genomes should be performed to obtain additional evidence for species recognition.