Probable Synonym Research Articles

Rediscovery of <i>Malthesis ater</i> Motschulsky, 1853 and a catalog of the genus <i>Malthesis</i> Motschulsky, 1853 (Coleoptera, Cantharidae)

Malthesis is a Cantharidae genus with a history of ambiguous systematic placement, being sometimes classified within Malthininae and currently placed in Chauliognathinae, sometimes as a probable synonym of Chauliognathus. Part of the problem is a complete lack of knowledge about the identity of their type species, M. ater, from Colombia. The current generic placement is based on the identity of the subsequently described Malthesis species which, in turn, have never been compared with M. ater. One specimen belonging to the type series of M. ater, here designated as the lectotype, has been located at the Zoological Museum of M. V. Lomonosov State University (Moscow, Russia) and the identities of the species and genus could finally be assessed. Here, M. ater is re-described in detail based on the study of the afore mentioned lectotype and additional specimens from Colombia. The morphological study of the species confirms that most of the subsequently described species are indeed congeneric with M. ater and enables a reliable placement of the genus within Chauliognathinae: Chauliognathini. In addition, a fully updated catalog of all the 38 currently valid species and subspecies of Malthesis is given to ease their future taxonomic studies.

Taxonomic Changes in Nearctic Paederinae, New Records and a Redescription of the Enigmatic Genus Acrostilicus Hubbard (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Despite their relatively large size and abundance in diverse Nearctic ecosystems, the Paederinae (Staphylinidae) of North America have received only limited taxonomic attention since the early 1900s. In preparation for a revised key to the paederine genera of Canada and the United States, several taxonomic issues highlighted twenty years ago in the last such work (American Beetles) were investigated. Additionally, previous taxonomic confusion of Pseudolathra Casey and Lobrathium Mulsant and Rey in the Nearctic region, now both valid genera and considered rather distantly related, has created doubt surrounding the validity of subgeneric names and placement of many species. A comprehensive checklist was therefore given for the Nearctic species of Pseudolathra, and the following are treated as its junior synonyms: Lathrobiella Casey, new synonym, Lathrotaxis Casey, new synonym, Linolathra Casey, Microlathra Casey, and Paralathra Casey. Paederopsis gloydi Kistner, new synonym is treated as a junior synonym of Dacnochilus compactus (Casey). Paederopsis Wasmann, a probable synonym of Dacnochilus LeConte, is removed from the Nearctic fauna. Acrostilicus Hubbard and its single species, Acrostilicus hospes Hubbard, are redescribed based on the first available specimens in 125 years. Acrostilicus is confirmed as a valid genus in Stilicina. Lissobiops Casey, new synonym is treated as a junior synonym of Hesperobium Casey, currently a subgenus of Homaeotarsus Hochhuth. New state and province records are given for Homaeotarsus serpentinus (LeConte), new combination, Homaeotarsus cribratus (LeConte), and Homaeotarsus sellatus (LeConte).

A new species of Psyllipsocus (Psocodea: Trogiomorpha: Psyllipsocidae) from the mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar.

A new psocodean species of the family Psyllipsocidae, namely Psyllipsocus yangi sp. n., is described from the Burmese amber. This is the third species of Psyllipsocus from the Burmese amber and is the first Cretaceous Psyllipsocus species with a conical sensillum in mx2. Detailed description of the characters of mouthparts and genitalia are provided. The present finding suggests that Sinopsyllipsocus is a probable synonym of Psyllipsocus.

Revision of the land snail genus Landouria Godwin-Austen, 1918 (Gastropoda, Camaenidae) from Java

A revision of the land snail genus Landouria Godwin-Austin, 1918 (Camaenidae) from Java reveals that this group represents the most diverse land snail radiation on that island. Only six species of Landouria were recognized from Java in the last revision of the genus based on shell characters. Our investigation, which also considers the genitalia as well as DNA sequences, shows that the diversity in Java is much higher. Based on newly collected specimens as well as museum material, twenty-eight species of Landouria from Java are described and figured. To stabilize the nomenclature, neotypes are designated for L. winteriana (Pfeiffer, 1842) and L. rotatoria (Pfeiffer, 1842). Sixteen species are described as new to science, i.e., L. naggsi sp. nov., L. parahyangensis sp. nov., L. nusakambangensis sp. nov., L. petrukensis sp. nov., L. tholiformis sp. nov., L. madurensis sp. nov., L. abdidalem sp. nov., L. sewuensis sp. nov., L. tonywhitteni sp. nov., L. sukoliloensis sp. nov., L. nodifera sp. nov., L. pacitanensis sp. nov., L. zonifera sp. nov., L. pakidulan sp. nov., L. dharmai sp. nov. and L. menorehensis sp. nov. Landouria conoidea (Leschke, 1914) comb. nov., L. intumescens (Martens, 1867) comb. nov., L. moussoniana (Martens, 1867) comb. nov., L. schepmani (Möllendorff, 1897) comb. nov. and L. leucochila (Gude, 1905) comb. nov. are considered valid species of the genus Landouria for the first time. Plectotropis kraepelini Leschke, 1914 syn. nov. is considered a probable synonym of L. winteriana (Pfeiffer, 1842), P. trichotrochium Möllendorff, 1897 syn. nov. is a synonym of L. epiplatia (Möllendorff, 1897) and the preoccupied name Helix squamulosa Martens, 1867 syn. nov. is a synonym of L. madurensis sp. nov. We estimate that there are actually more than fifty species of Landouria in Java because many shell samples could not be classified and because no material is available from several regions of the island. A molecular phylogeny reveals that the species from Java do not form a monophyletic group, but that at least one species from Timor is nested within Javanese clades. This means that the Oriental Landouria crossed Wallace’s line, the supposed border between the Oriental and Australo-Papuan regions, at least twice and supports the conclusion that Wallace’s line does not represent a more severe barrier for terrestrial organisms than other straits through the archipelago. Within the Javanese clades, species from western and eastern Java are mixed, indicating frequent dispersals also within Java.

Typifications and Nomenclatural Notes on Urospatha (Araceae)

This paper addresses typification of species and infraspecific taxa in the genus Urospatha Schott. Thirteen lectotypifications, one neotypification, and corrections for two type localities are presented and discussed. Additionally, U. friedrichsthaliana Schott (a probable synonym of Sagittaria latifolia Willd.) is lectotypified.

The Humerus of Proterotheriidae (Mammalia, Litopterna) and Its Systematic Usefulness: The Case of “Proterotherium berroi” Kraglievich, 1930

Proterotheriidae constitute a group of small-medium native South American ungulates with high diversity during the early Miocene and the late Miocene (Santacrucian and Huayquerian SALMAs). Recent studies demonstrated the wide dental variability, useful in the discrimination of the species. The aim of this work is to analyze the humerus as a postcranial element that is usually not found in association with cranial remains, and to evaluate (qualitatively and quantitatively) its systematic usefulness. We used the only known specimen of “Proterotherium berroi”, re-describing and re-illustrating it. The Principal Components Analysis resulted in 2 components explaining 86% of the variance. The PCA showed a differentiation between the largest species—Diadiaphorus majusculus and Anisolophus floweri—and the remaining ones (an intermediate group consisting of “Proterotherium”, Tetramerorhinus, Eoauchenia, Proterotheriidae indet., and the smallest, Thoatherium minusculum). We establish that, although there are slight morphological differences in the distal epiphysis of the humeri of Proterotheriidae, they mostly correspond to gradual changes in characters with continuous variations not linked to any particular taxonomic entity. These are not enough to assure a generic or specific determination, except for Eoauchenia. The differences in humeri size are considerable and they could be used as a criterion for discriminating Diadiaphorus and Anisolophus, to which the largest specimens would belong. We consider “P. berroi” a probable synonym of Neolicaphrium recens, but we ratify that a reliable systematic determination is only possible if it is based on cranial or dental remains.

The centipede family Anopsobiidae new to North America, with the description of a new genus and species and notes on the Henicopidae of North America and the Anopsobiidae of the Northern Hemisphere (Chilopoda, Lithobiomorpha).

Speleopsobius weaveri, n. gen., n. sp., is described from lava tubes in southern Idaho, USA. The new taxon, and species of the genera Buethobius Chamberlin, 1911 and its probable synonym Yobius Chamberlin, 1945, are members of the family Anopsobiidae, not previously reported from North America. All known species of Henicopidae and Anopsobiidae from North America north of México are listed and briefly noted, along with all known anopsobiids from the northern hemisphere. Anopsobiella dawidoffi Attems, 1938 (Vietnam) is likely not a member of the family Anopsobiidae.

A checklist of fossil names in extant genera of the Proteaceae.

A preliminary checklist of more than 360 fossil plants in the Proteaceae is presented, together with details of their publication. The list includes only current and synonymised genera in which extant species are or were recognised. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of new names being taken up with earlier homonyms, ultimately necessitating unfortunate name changes. Lomatia fraxinifolia F. Muell. ex Benth. is an illegitimate homonym and is here replaced with the name Lomatia milnerae Olde. Grevillea trilobata (Hort ex Ettingsh.) Olde, comb. nov., previously incorrectly treated as a fossil, is here recognised as a probable synonym of Grevillea manglesii (Graham) Planch. Hakea salisburiifolia Hügel ex Ettingsh. is recognised as an extant species and treated as a synonym of Hakea baxteri R.Br.

Molecular phylogeny of Anopheles hyrcanus group (Diptera: Culicidae) based on mtDNA COI

BackgroundThe Anopheles hyrcanus group, which includes at least 25 species, is widely distributed in the Oriental and Palearctic regions. Some group members have been incriminated as vectors of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. It is difficult to identify Hyrcanus Group members by morphological features. Thus, molecular phylogeny has been proposed as an important complementary method to traditional morphological taxonomy.MethodsBased on the GenBank database and our original study data, we used 466 mitochondrial DNA COI sequences belonging to 18 species to reconstruct the molecular phylogeny of the Hyrcanus Group across its worldwide geographic range.ResultsThe results are as follows. 1) The average conspecific K2P divergence was 0.008 (range 0.002–0.017), whereas sequence divergence between congroup species averaged 0.064 (range 0.026–0.108). 2) The topology of COI tree of the Hyrcanus Group was generally consistent with classical morphological taxonomy in terms of species classification, but disagreed in subgroup division. In the COI tree, the group was divided into at least three main clusters. The first cluster contained An. nimpe; the second was composed of the Nigerrimus Subgroup and An. argyropus; and the third cluster was comprised of the Lesteri Subgroup and other unassociated species. 3) Phylogenetic analysis of COI indicated that ancient hybridizations probably occurred among the three closely related species, An. sinensis, An. belenrae, and An. kleini. 4) The results supported An. paraliae as a probable synonym of An. lesteri, and it was possible that An. pseudopictus and An. hyrcanus were the same species, as evident from their extremely low interspecific genetic divergence (0.020 and 0.007, respectively) and their phylogenetic positions.ConclusionsIn summary, we reconstructed the molecular phylogeny and analysed genetic divergence of the Hyrcanus Group using mitochondrial COI sequences. Our results suggest that in the future of malaria surveillance, we should not only pay much attention to those known vectors of malaria, but also their closely related species.

How manySiphonariaspecies (Gastropoda: Euthyneura) live in southern South America?

Fil: Guller, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia; Argentina

Catalog of the recent taxa of the families Epitoniidae and Nystiellidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) with a bibliography of the descriptive and systematic literature.

This catalog includes 1,487 names recent genera, subgenera, species, subspecies, varieties, and forms that have been referred to the families Epitoniidae and Nystiellidae as well as a bibliography of the descriptive and systematic literature associated with these names. For the names covered herein, we make a determination of whether the name is an available name, as that term is defined in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature ("ICZN") and, based on a review of the literature listed in the bibliography, indicate whether the taxon is a potentially valid name or a probable synonym. This catalog includes not only includes a list of names, but also includes information on type material, type localities and species' geographic, bathymetric and size ranges. We also suggest generic assignments for many of the species level taxa listed in this work. We herein designate Scalaria acuta J. Sowerby, 1812, to be the type species of Clathrus Agassiz, 1837, designate Scalaria raricostata G.B. Sowerby II, 1844b, to be the type species of Variciscala de Boury, 1909a, designate Turbiniscala sexcosta Jousseaume, 1912, to be the type species of Turbiniscala de Boury, 1909a, and designate Scala dubia 'G. B. Sowerby II' de Boury, 1912b to be the type species of Foliaceiscala de Boury, 1912b.

A new combination in Thelypteridaceae

Sledge (1981) described the fern Trigonospora obtusiloba Sledge (1981: 18) of Thelypteridaceae as a new endemic species from Sri Lanka. Fraser-Jenkins (2008: 595) suspected that this species was a probable synonym of Cyclosorus caudipinna (Ching) Panigrahi (1993: 66) but it differs from C. caudipinna in smaller size and lack of caudate pinnae apices (Sledge 1981). It can further be distinguished by its strongly dimorphic fronds, i.e., fertile fronds have narrower pinnae and longer stipes than sterile fronds. This is clearly evident in all specimens listed below and has not been reported from any other species of Cyclosorus subgenus Trigonospora (Holttum) Panigrahi (1991: 13). Since the opinion of Fraser-Jenkins (2008) is not supported, it is logical to maintain T. obtusiloba as a distinct species until further molecular data clarify its position. According to present generic concept of Thelypteridaceae (Christenhusz et al. 2011, Rothfels et al. 2012) T. obtusiloba should be transferred to Cyclosorus Link (1833: 128) and consequently a new combination under Cyclosorus is proposed here.

Molecular Identification andIn VitroResponse to Antifungal Drugs of Clinical Isolates of Exserohilum

Exserohilum is an agent of human and animal mycoses. Although classification has been based on a few subtle morphological differences, three species of clinical interest have been traditionally accepted. In this study, by using a multigene sequence analysis, we have demonstrated that Exserohilum longirostratum and E. mcginnisii are probable synonyms of E. rostratum. The isolates tested were mainly from the nasal region. Antifungal susceptibility testing demonstrated high activity of the eight agents tested against this fungus.

Taxonomy of Podoscirtinae (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Part 9: the American tribe Paroecanthini

Systematic position and composition of the endemic American tribe Paroecanthini are discussed. This tribe is divided into two subtribes: Paroecanthina stat. nov. (from Paroecanthini Gorochov, 1986) and Tafaliscina stat. nov. (from Tafaliscinae Desutter, 1988). Five new genera, 24 new species and 6 new subspecies are described. Systematic position and distribution of true and possible taxa of Paroecanthini are clarified, and some of these taxa are redescribed. Orocharis eclectos Otte, 2006, syn. nov. is synonymised with Paroecanthus mexicanus Saussure, 1859 which is restored as type species of Paroecanthus Saussure, 1859 according to original monotypy of this genus. Orocharis signatus Walker, 1869 and Carsidava Walker, 1869 are excluded from synonymy of P. mexicanus and Paroecanthus, respectively. Orocharis signatus is considered to be a probable synonym of P. aztecus aztecus Saussure, 1874. Carsidava and Chremon Rehn, 1930, syn. nov. are considered possible and evident synonyms of Ectotrypa Saussure, 1874, respectively. Angustitrella vicina (Chopard, 1912), sp. resurr. and A. picipes (Bruner, 1916), sp. resurr. are restored from synonymy of A. podagrosa (Saussure, 1897) and Siccotrella niger (Saussure, 1874), respectively. Lectotype of Amblyrhethus brevipes (Saussure, 1878) and type species of Metrypa Brunner-Wattenwyl, 1873 (Tafalisca lurida Walker, 1869) are designated. Pseudogryllus Chopard, 1912, gen. resurr. is restored from synonymy of Tafalisca Walker, 1869.

Astiotrema turneri n. sp. (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae) from cichlid fishes (Cichlidae: Perciformes) of Lake Malawi, south-eastern Africa

Astiotrema turneri n. sp. is described from the cichlid species Pseudotropheus zebra, P. emmiltos, Labeotropheus trewavasae and Melanochromis vermivorus from Lake Malawi. It differs from Astiotrema reniferum (as described by Yeh & Fotedar 1958) in its distinctly broader body, the much smaller cirrus-sac, its oblique testes, the shorter ventral sucker to ovary distance, the vitellarium reaching into the forebody and the extracaecal uterus; from Astiotrema impletum in the sucker-ratio, the longer caeca, the smaller cirrus-sac and the extracaecal uterus; and from Glossidium pedatum (and its probable synonyms Astiotrema lazeri and Afromacroderoides lazerae) in its much broader body shape, in its distinct oesophagus, the intestinal bifurcation in the posterior forebody, in the distinctly oblique testes, the extracaecal uterus and the vitellarium reaching well into the forebody.

A taxonomic revision of Hypogastrura crassaegranulata (Stach, 1949) (Collembola, Hypogastruridae)

The polytypic species Hypogastrura crassaegranulata (Stach, 1949) is revised, mostly based on types. H. crassaegranulata dobsinensis (Stach, 1949) is synonymized with H. crassaegranulata sensu nov. and H. crassaegranulata estaranhensis Cassagnau, 1959 and H. crassaegranulata burgundiana Gisin, 1960 are synonymized with H. franconiana stat. nov. H. crassaegranulata carpatica Nosek, 1962 is recognized as a distinct species. Achorutes schäfferi Carl, 1901 (= A. affinis Schäffer, 1900), suspected as identical with H. crassaegranulata franconiana, is considered as a probable synonym of H. purpurescens (Lubbock, 1867). Redescriptions are provided and lectotypes are designated for H. crassaegranulata (Stach, 1949) sensu nov. and H. franconiana (Stach, 1949) stat. nov.

A Beauveria phylogeny inferred from nuclear ITS and EF1-α sequences: evidence for cryptic diversification and links to Cordyceps teleomorphs

Beauveria is a globally distributed genus of soil-borne entomopathogenic hyphomycetes of interest as a model system for the study of entomo-pathogenesis and the biological control of pest insects. Species recognition in Beauveria is difficult due to a lack of taxonomically informative morphology. This has impeded assessment of species diversity in this genus and investigation of their natural history. A gene-genealogical approach was used to investigate molecular phylogenetic diversity of Beauveria and several presumptively related Cordyceps species. Analyses were based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α) sequences for 86 exemplar isolates from diverse geographic origins, habitats and insect hosts. Phylogenetic trees were inferred using maximum parsimony and Bayesian likelihood methods. Six well supported clades within Beauveria, provisionally designated A–F, were resolved in the EF1-α and combined gene phylogenies. Beauveria bassiana, a ubiquitous species that is characterized morphologically by globose to subglobose conidia, was determined to be non-monophyletic and consists of two unrelated lineages, clades A and C. Clade A is globally distributed and includes the Asian teleomorph Cordyceps staphylinidaecola and its probable synonym C. bassiana. All isolates contained in Clade C are anamorphic and originate from Europe and North America. Clade B includes isolates of B. brongniartii, a Eurasian species complex characterized by ellipsoidal conidia. Clade D includes B. caledonica and B. vermiconia, which produce cylindrical and comma-shaped conidia, respectively. Clade E, from Asia, includes Beauveria anamorphs and a Cordyceps teleomorph that both produce ellipsoidal conidia. Clade F, the basal branch in the Beauveria phylogeny includes the South American species B. amorpha, which produces cylindrical conidia. Lineage diversity detected within clades A, B and C suggests that prevailing morphological species concepts underestimate species diversity within these groups. Continental endemism of lineages in B. bassiana s.l. (clades A and C) indicates that isolation by distance has been an important factor in the evolutionary diversification of these clades. Permutation tests indicate that host association is essentially random in both B. bassiana s.l. clades A and C, supporting past assumptions that this species is not host specific. In contrast, isolates in clades B and D occurred primarily on coleopteran hosts, although sampling in these clades was insufficient to assess host affliation at lower taxonomic ranks. The phylogenetic placement of Cordyceps staphylinidaecola/bassiana, and C. scarabaeicola within Beauveria corroborates prior reports of these anamorph-teleomorph connections. These results establish a phylogenetic framework for further taxonomic, phylogenetic and comparative biological investigations of Beauveria and their corresponding Cordyceps teleomorphs.

A review of Lower and Middle Palaeozoic biostratigraphy in west peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand in its context within the Sibumasu Terrane

Fossils from the Cambrian to Devonian rocks of southern Thailand, the Langkawi Islands, mainland Kedah, Perlis, north Perak and central West Peninsular Malaysia are listed and reviewed, and their stratigraphy and correlation reassessed. The hitherto anomalous record of the trilobite Dalmanitina from Malaysia is reviewed and found to be of latest Ordovician (Hirnantian) age, rather than Lower Silurian age as previously reported, and is considered a probable synonym of the widespread Mucronaspis mucronata. A new stratigraphical nomenclature is erected for part of the Langkawi, mainland Kedah and Perlis area successions, in which the term Setul Limestone (which stretched from the Ordovician to the Devonian) is abandoned and replaced by the Middle Ordovician Kaki Bukit Limestone, the late Ordovician and early Silurian Tanjong Dendang Formation, the Silurian Mempelam Limestone, and the early Devonian Timah Tasoh Formation, all underlying the paraconformity with the late Devonian Langgun Red Beds. There was a single depositional basin in the generally shallow-water and cratonic areas of southern Thailand, Langkawi, and mainland Kedah and Perlis, in contrast to the deeper-water basin of north Perak. Only Silurian rocks are dated with certainty within another basin in central West Malaysia, near Kuala Lumpur, which were also cratonic and shallow-water, although to the east in west Pahang there are basal Devonian deeper-water sediments with graptolites. The area is reviewed in its position within the Sibumasu Terrane, which, in the Palaeozoic, also included central and northern Thailand, Burma (Myanmar) and southwest China (part of Yunnan Province).

A Beauveria phylogeny inferred from nuclear ITS and EF1- sequences: evidence for cryptic diversification and links to Cordyceps teleomorphs

Beauveria is a globally distributed genus of soil-borne entomopathogenic hyphomycetes of interest as a model system for the study of entomopathogenesis and the biological control of pest insects. Species recognition in Beauveria is difficult due to a lack of taxonomically informative morphology. This has impeded assessment of species diversity in this genus and investigation of their natural history. A gene-genealogical approach was used to investigate molecular phylogenetic diversity of Beauveria and several presumptively related Cordyceps species. Analyses were based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-alpha) sequences for 86 exemplar isolates from diverse geographic origins, habitats and insect hosts. Phylogenetic trees were inferred using maximum parsimony and Bayesian likelihood methods. Six well supported clades within Beauveria, provisionally designated A-F, were resolved in the EF1-alpha and combined gene phylogenies. Beauveria bassiana, a ubiquitous species that is characterized morphologically by globose to subglobose conidia, was determined to be non-monophyletic and consists of two unrelated lineages, clades A and C. Clade A is globally distributed and includes the Asian teleomorph Cordyceps staphylinidaecola and its probable synonym C. bassiana. All isolates contained in Clade C are anamorphic and originate from Europe and North America. Clade B includes isolates of B. brongniartii, a Eurasian species complex characterized by ellipsoidal conidia. Clade D includes B. caledonica and B. vermiconia, which produce cylindrical and comma-shaped conidia, respectively. Clade E, from Asia, includes Beauveria anamorphs and a Cordyceps teleomorph that both produce ellipsoidal conidia. Clade F, the basal branch in the Beauveria phylogeny includes the South American species B. amorpha, which produces cylindrical conidia. Lineage diversity detected within clades A, B and C suggests that prevailing morphological species concepts underestimate species diversity within these groups. Continental endemism of lineages in B. bassiana s.l. (clades A and C) indicates that isolation by distance has been an important factor in the evolutionary diversification of these clades. Permutation tests indicate that host association is essentially random in both B. bassiana s.l. clades A and C, supporting past assumptions that this species is not host specific. In contrast, isolates in clades B and D occurred primarily on coleopteran hosts, although sampling in these clades was insufficient to assess host affliation at lower taxonomic ranks. The phylogenetic placement of Cordyceps staphylinidaecola/bassiana, and C. scarabaeicola within Beauveria corroborates prior reports of these anamorph-teleomorph connections. These results establish a phylogenetic framework for further taxonomic, phylogenetic and comparative biological investigations of Beauveria and their corresponding Cordyceps teleomorphs.

DNA Phylogeny, Morphology and Pathogenicity of Botryosphaeria Species on Grapevines

Several species of Botr yosphaeria are known to occur on grapevines, causing a wide range of disorders including bud mortality, dieback, brown wood streaking and bunch rot. In this study the 11 Botryosphaeria spp. associated with grapevines growing in various parts of the world, but primarily in South Africa, are distinguished based on morphology, DNA sequences (ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2 and EF1-α) and pathological data. Botryosphaeria australis, B. lutea, B. obtusa, B. parva, B. rhodina and a Diplodia sp. are confirmed from grapevines in South Africa, while Diplodia porosum, Fusicoccum viticlavatum and F. vitifusiforme are described as new. Although isolates of B. dothidea and B. stevensii are confirmed from grapevines in Portugal, neither of these species occurred in South Africa, nor were any isolates of B. ribis confirmed from grapevines. All grapevine isolates from Portugal, formerly presumed to be B. ribis, are identified as B. parva based on their EF1-α equence data. From artificial inoculations on grapevine shoots, we conclude that B. australis, B. parva, B. ribis and B. stevensii are more virulent than the other species studied. The Diplodia sp. collected from grapevine canes is morphologically similar but phylogenetically distinct from D. sarmentorum. Diplodia sarmentorum is confirmed as anamorph of Otthia spiraeae, the type species of the genus Otthia (Botryosphaeriaceae). A culture identified as O. spiraeae clustered within Botryosphaeria and thus is regarded as probable synonym. These findings confirm earlier suggestions that the generic concept of Botryosphaeria should be expanded to include genera with septate ascospores and Diplodia anamorphs.