Taxonomic Position Research Articles

Molecular Identification of Juglans Regia Endophyte LTL-G3, Its Antifungal Potential and Bioactive Substances.

Endophyte is one of the potential biocontrol agents for inhibiting plant pathogens. However, the mechanisms and characteristics involved in the inhibition of different phytopathogenic fungi by endophytes, especially walnut endophytes, are still largely unknown. The present study aimed to identify the walnut endophytic fungus LTL-G3 from a genetic point of view, assess the strain's antifungal activity, and determine the bioactivities of the substances it produces against plant pathogens. The homologous sequence of strain LTL-G3 was examined, and typical strains of the Trichoderma virens group were used to build NJ phylogenetic trees and analyze the taxonomic position of the strain. The biocontrol agent's antagonistic potential for many plant pathogenic fungi. By using silica gel G chromatography, the active components of the strain were separated and purified. The active components were identified using GC-MS and NMR. The strain LTL-G3 was identified as Trichoderma virens. Its fermentation and secondary metabolite extracts had a broad spectrum and strong inhibitory effect on the spread of six plant pathogens (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium graminearum, Gloeosporium fructigenum, Phytophthora capsici, Rhizoctonia solani, and Valsa mali) evaluated, of which, its inhibition rate against Valsa mali reached 76.6% (fermentation extract) and 100% (ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts). On silica gel G chromatography, bioactive compounds were divided into 6 fractions and 7 sub-fractions. Fr.2-2 was the sub-fraction that showed the greatest inhibitory against V. mali, as an inhibition percentage of 89.36% in 1 mg. mL-1. Fifteen key inhibitory chemicals identified using GC-MS. By examining the NMR data, the chemical make-up of the precipitated white solid was identified. The inhibition rate against V. mali increased by over 95% at a dosage of 1 mg. mL-1, indicating a significant linear association between compound A and that rate. The strain LTL-G3 can be applied as an efficient biological control agent against V. mali, and its highly inhibitive secondary metabolites provide the mechanism for this action.

Cataracta, a new monotypic genus segregated from Physalis (Solanaceae)

We describe a new monotypic genus Cataracta based on Physalis microphysa. From 1896 to 2016, five different authors have pointed out that removing P. microphysa from Physalis may contribute to the monophyly of the genus. Recent phylogenetic analyses showed that P. microphysa does not share the most recent common ancestor with Physalis, and its taxonomic position remained uncertain. Therefore, this taxonomic change is necessary. The diagnostic traits of Physalis microphysa are the fruiting calyx that loosely covers the fruit, remaining open apically, with lobes as long as, or longer than the tube, a dry berry with thin pericarp, and a dehiscent epicarp covered by a thick cuticle. In contrast, Physalis species with typical morphologies have an inflated and completely closed fruiting calyx at the apex that fully envelopes the fleshy berry. The anatomical evidence and molecular phylogenetic analysis with six cpDNA and three nDNA regions performed with Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference confirm that P. microphysa can be recognized as a distinct genus from Leucophysalis, Physalis and Quincula. Cataracta gen. nov. is sister to Chamaesaracha and along with the closely related Quincula grows in arid to semi-arid environments in Mexico and North America. An artificial key to Physalidinae genera is included.

The importance of Veillonella in the oral microbiome and its impact on dental and periodontal pathology: a literature review

Relevance. Veillonella is associated with diseases of the oral cavity. Representatives of this genus occupy a significant share in the composition of the plaque microbiota and are involved in the formation of food chains and regulating the pH of the oral microbiome.The aim of this article is to provide an overview of scientific studies on the Veillonella taxonomic group's position in the oral microbiome and their possible impact on the development of infectious diseases of the oral cavity.Materials and methods. A scientific search was conducted in the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, NCBI, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and eLibrary.RU for the last 40 years. 88 sources in English and 1 in Russian were analyzed and included in this review.Results. Various species of Veillonella promote the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans and metabolize the lactate produced by streptococci. They also play an essential role in forming the periodontium microbial biofilm, entering into co-aggregation with primary, intermediate and late colonizers, including such periodontal pathogens as Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Veilonella is involved in the formation of lipopolysaccharides and hydrogen sulfide in pulpitis, periapical periodontitis and halitosis.Conclusion. Veillonella spp. is a significant component of the oral microbiome and can be viewed as a stabilizing component and as an indicator of a violation of the ecosystem's metabolic situation.

Proposal to transfer Bacillus massiliigorillae to the genus Peribacillus as Peribacillus massiliigorillae comb. nov., and Bacillus sinesaloumensis to the genus Ferdinandcohnia as Ferdinandcohnia sinesaloumensis comb. nov.

The present study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic position of Bacillus massiliigorillae and Bacillus sinesaloumensis. The 16S rRNA gene sequences extracted from the Bacillus sinesaloumensis Marseille-P3516T (FTOX00000000) and Bacillus massiliigorillae G2T (CAVL000000000) genomes showed 98.5 and 99.1% similarity with the type strains of Ferdinandcohnia humi and Peribacillus endoradicis, respectively. The amino acid identity (AAI) values of Bacillus sinesaloumensis Marseille-P3516T were higher with Ferdinandcohnia members, while Bacillus massiliigorillae G2T with Peribacillus members. In phylogenomic and phylogenetic trees, Bacillus sinesaloumensis Marseille-P3516T and Bacillus massiliigorillae G2T clade with members of the genera Ferdinandcohnia and Peribacillus, respectively. Based on the above results, we propose to transfer Bacillus massiliigorillae to the genus Peribacillus as Peribacillus massiliigorillae comb. nov., and Bacillus sinesaloumensis to the genus Ferdinandcohnia as Ferdinandcohnia sinesaloumensis comb. nov.

Bioherbicidal potential of Bacillus altitudinis D30202 on Avena fatua L.: a whole-genome sequencing analysis.

Avena fatua L. (wild oat) is one of the most harmful gramineous weeds that can affect the yield and quality of infiltrating crops. Bacillus altitudinis D30202 exhibits an excellent biocontrol activity against wild oat. To elucidate the biocontrol mechanisms of B. altitudinis D30202, the genome structure of this strain was assessed via whole-genome sequencing analysis. We predicted and analyzed secondary metabolite synthesis gene clusters to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the biocontrol of weeds. The whole-genome sequencing data indicated that B. altitudinis D30202 had the genome size and GC content of 3,777,154bp and 41.32%, respectively, and 3809 coding genes were identified. Moreover, this strain could generate several compounds with bioherbicidal activity, including 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid and two indole derivatives. Bioinformatics prediction and comparative genomic analysis revealed that the strain had 6 secondary metabolite gene clusters. Furthermore, the taxonomic position of B. altitudinis D30202 was assessed, confirming its uniqueness and novelty within the Bacillus genus. Comparative genomic analysis showed differences in gene distribution, suggesting potential adaptations to different environments. In conclusion, B. altitudinis D30202 possesses a genome with unique characteristics, encoding enzymes and pathways related to herbicidal potential and biocontrol. This study provides a reference basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of weed inhibition.

Can Miconia Ruiz & Pavón fruit anatomical characters have taxonomic usefulness in the genus?

Miconia Ruiz & Pavón is currently recognized as a single genus belonging to the Miconieae tribe, whose taxonomic position is in urgent need of new multidisciplinary studies, including the anatomical investigation of fruits and seeds. Our study investigated the structural ontogeny of fruits and seeds of six species of Miconia, from the floral phase. Flowers and developing fruits were obtained from specimens collected in a state park in Paraná, Brazil, and from herbarium specimens. The samples were sectioned in a rotation microtome and analyzed in a light microscope. All species bear berry-subtype pomaceous fruits that originate from inferior or semi-inferior ovaries. The pericarp is fleshy parenchymatous with sclereid idioblasts. The seeds come from anatropous ovules, are testal and exhibit variation in the position of the mechanical cell layer within the testa. Taxonomically consistent features were found, such as position of the ovary and carpel number (inferior or semi-inferior/3 or 4 carpels), exocarp indumentum, mesocarp structure (tissue region), pomaceous fruit with hypanthium totally or partially adnate to the ovary wall, type of seed (exotestal, exomesotestal and mesoendotestal) and sclereid composition of the mechanical layer.

Identificación y caracterización morfológica de hongos asociados a daños en tuna (Opuntia ficus-indica), en la provincia de Chimborazo, Ecuador

This research aimed to identify and morphologically characterize fungi associated with symptoms in cultivating prickly pear (Opuntia) in Chimborazo, Ecuador. Samples of cladodes were collected at different growth stages, including immature and mature stages, exhibiting necrotic areas, chlorotic spots, fissures, pimples, and halos. Sampling was conducted in productive regions of Tunshi, Chingazos, Alacao, and the main campus of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo in the province of Chimborazo. Fungi were isolated by directly inoculating disinfested "affected" portions of cladodes. Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) was used as the culture medium to obtain fungal isolates. A total of 44 isolates of filamentous fungi were obtained and identified based on their cultural and morphological characteristics using taxonomic keys. The predominant fungal genera among the isolates were Alternaria sp. (50%), followed by Fusarium sp. (9.09%), Scytalidium sp. (9.09%), Cladosporium sp. (6.82%), Geotrichum sp. (6.82%), Trichoderma sp. (4.55%), Armillaria sp. (2.27%), Rhizopus sp. (2.27%), and unidentified fungi (9.09%). This study represents the first report conducted in the province of Chimborazo regarding fungal species associated with this crop, paving the way for further complementary molecular studies to determine the taxonomic position of those isolates that could not be classified using taxonomic keys. Keywords: Characterization; Identification; Sympomatology; Causal Agents; Fungi

AN INSIGHT INTO THE SYSTEMATICS OF PLICATOSTYLIDAE (BIVALVIA), WITH A DESCRIPTION OF <em>PACHYGERVILLIA ANGUILLAENSIS</em> N. GEN. N. SP. FROM THE <em>LITHIOTIS</em> FACIES (LOWER JURASSIC) OF ITALY

The Lithiotis facies represents an Early Jurassic global bioevent characterized by a remarkable spread of gregarious bivalves, which produced large sedimentary bodies in tropical shallow-water marine environments. The most peculiar and common genera Lithiotis, Cochlearites and Lithioperna, with aberrant and extremely elongated or strongly flattened shells, have been studied since the second half of the nineteenth century. Despite numerous systematic studies, their phylogenetic relationship with the other bivalve families is still uncertain. The Lithiotis facies yields other bivalve genera, among which a large multivincular mytiloid, provisionally determined as Isognomon (Mytiloperna) sp. ind. or Mytiloperna sp., is recorded in the literature. This taxon is here studied from a systematic point of view to clarify its taxonomic position and solve the open nomenclature adopted in the past. Here, we propose a new genus Pachygervillia and a new species Pachygervillia anguillaensis. The stratotype is located in the lower part of the Rotzo Formation (Calcari Grigi Group, Lower Jurassic), while the type locality is in the Lessini Mountains (Verona Province, Trento Platform, Southern Alps). This new species is characterized by a thick aragonitic inner shell layer with a fibrous, irregular, spherulitic, prismatic microstructure combined with a nacreous middle layer, both also occurring in species of the genera Lithiotis and Cochlearites of the family Plicatostylidae. This microstructural layering is here proposed as the main taxonomic character of the family, which is here emended and divided into the following two subfamilies: Plicatostylinae, yielding Lithiotis and Cochlearites with stick-like shells, and Pachygervilliinae nov. subfam., yielding Gervilleioperna, Lithioperna, Pachygervillia n. gen., and Pachyperna, previously placed within the subfamily Isognomoninae.

Characterization of Lacinutrix neustonica sp. nov., Isolated from the Sea Surface Microlayer of Brackish Lake Shihwa, South Korea

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, slightly curved rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated as HL-RS19T, was isolated from a sea surface microlayer (SML) sample of the brackish Lake Shihwa. Here, we characterized the new strain HL-RS19T using a polyphasic approach to determine its taxonomic position. A phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain HL-RS19T belonged to the genus Lacinutrix and was closely related to L. mariniflava AKS432T (97.9%), L. algicola AKS293T (97.8%), and other Lacinutrix species (<97.3%). The complete genome sequence of strain HL-RS19T comprised a circular chromosome of 3.9 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 35.2%. Genomic comparisons based on the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization showed that strain HL-RS19T was consistently discriminated from its closely related taxa in the genus Lacinutrix. Strain HL-RS19T showed optimal growth at 20–25 °C, pH 6.5–7.0, and 3.0–3.5% (w/v) sea salts. The major fatty acids (>5%) of strain HL-RS19T were identified as iso-C15:1 G (16.5%), iso-C16:0 3-OH (12.9%), anteiso-C15:1 A (9.9%), anteiso-C15:0 (9.7%), iso-C15:0 (9.0%), and iso-C15:0 3-OH (8.3%). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids, an unidentified phospholipid, and two unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. Based on phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic data, strain HL-RS19T represents a novel species belonging to the genus Lacinutrix, for which the name Lacinutrix neustonica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HL-RS19T (=KCCM 90497T = JCM 35710T). The genome sequence analysis of strain HL-RS19T suggests that it may be well adapted to a harsh SML environment and is likely involved in arsenic cycling, potentially contributing to the bioremediation of anthropogenic arsenic pollution.

Does a gender of Welwitschia mirabilis plants influence their photosynthetic activity?

Welwitschia mirabilis Hook.f. (Welwitschiaceae, Gnetales) is a gymnosperm plant unique in its habit with an isolated taxonomic position. This species is dioecious, but no studies of its photosynthetic activity were conducted with examination of differences among male and female plants. To fill this gap, the day and night photosynthetic activity of male and female specimens of Welwitschia mirabilis cultivated in the botanical garden was studied in controlled conditions. Photosynthetic activity was studied using net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs) and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) parameters. Additionally, a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used to assess the condition among male and female plants in full sunlight. The studied Welwitschia plants revealed variability in photosynthetic activity both during the day and the night. The photosynthetic activity was low in the morning hours and higher in the afternoon. There is a difference in the photosynthetic activity during the night between sexes, being higher in female specimens. Stomatal density was evaluated separately for adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces. Statistically significant differences in the stomatal density on abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces were observed in both sexes, especially distinctive in female specimens. NDVI has revealed that there were weak differences between male and female plants.

Dietary emodin alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal mucosal barrier injury by regulating gut microbiota in piglets.

This study was to determine the effects of dietary emodin (ED) on the intestinal mucosal barrier, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathways, and gut microbial flora in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced piglets. Twenty-four weaned piglets were chosen and 4 treatments were created by randomly distributing piglets into CON, ED, LPS, and ED_LPS groups. Experiments were done in a 2×2 factorial arrangement and maintained for 21d. Dietary treatment (a basal diet or 300mg/kg ED) and immunological challenge (LPS or sterile saline) were 2 major factors. Intraperitoneal injections of LPS or sterilized saline were given to piglets on d 21. Six hours after the LPS challenge, all piglets were euthanized for sample collection and analysis. The results showed that piglets of the ED_LPS group had higher (P<0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio (VCR), and lower (P<0.05) plasma D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) than the LPS group. Furthermore, ED inhibited (P<0.05) the decrease of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities and increase of malonaldehyde level (P<0.05) in jejunal mucosa induced by LPS. The mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzyme genes (GPX-1, SOD2 and CAT), as well as protein and mRNA levels of tight junction proteins (occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1), were also significantly increased (P<0.05) by ED addition in LPS-induced piglets. Meanwhile, ED supplementation significantly decreased the LPS-induced protein levels of cyclooxygenase-2 and phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 and IκBα in jejunal mucosa. Emodin had a significant effect on the composition of gut microbial flora at various taxonomic positions as indicated by 16S RNA sequencing. The acetic acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid concentrations in the cecum were also increased by ED addition in pigs (P<0.05). Furthermore, the correlation analysis revealed that some intestinal microbiota had a potential relationship with jejunal VCR, plasma D-lactate and DAO, jejunal mucosa GSH-Px and CAT activity, and cecal short-chain fatty acid concentration. These data suggest that ED is effective in alleviating LPS-induced intestinal mucosal barrier injury by modulating gut microbiota in piglets.

Perspective of the use of algae in the treatment of plant seeds

Algae are a natural source of biologically active substances, effective, safe and relatively cheap, which stimulate the germination process of the seeds of different plants. The content of seed germination biostimulators varies depending on the taxonomic position of the algae, the condition of the crops and the specifics of their cultivation. Treating the seeds of different plants with algal biomass, or with extracts obtained from it, has the effect of both stimulating seed germination and improving the physiological state of plants, increasing their resistance to environmental factors, increasing the quantity and improving the quality of harvests. This article presents a synthesis of some scientific results obtained that highlight the fact that the biomass of some algae can be used as a source of biostimulators in the treatment of plant seeds.

Revision of the genus Leptobatopsis Ashmead, 1900 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Banchinae) from Japan, with some taxonomic notes of Asian species.

The Japanese species of the genus Leptobatopsis Ashmead, 1900 are revised. A total of eight species are recorded from Japan, including a new species, Leptobatopsis yaima sp. nov., and three species, L. annularis Kasparyan, 2007, L. koreana Lee & Kang, 2015, and L. nigricapitis Chandra & Gupta, 1977, newly recorded from Japan. A Chinese species L. annularis Sheng & Sun, 2013 is a homonym of L. annularis Kasparyan, 2007. Both species are clearly different, and we therefore propose a new replacement name for the former, L. sinica (nom. nov.). Leptobatopsis daedeokensis Lee & Kang, 2015 is newly synonymised with L. annularis Kasparyan, 2007. The taxonomic position of L. nigra immaculata Momoi, 1971 is changed from a subspecies of L. nigra Cushman, 1933 to separate species, L. immaculata. The female of L. badia Momoi, 1970 is newly described. A key to the Japanese species of this genus is proposed.

The Lignicolous Genus Entonaema: Its Phylogenetic–Taxonomic Position within Hypoxylaceae (Xylariales, Fungi) and an Overview of Its Species, Biogeography, and Ecology

The lignicolous saprotrophic genus Entonaema contains six formally accepted species: E. liquescens (type species), E. cinnabarinum, E. globosum, E. dengii, E. moluccanum, and E. siamensis. Its stromatic ascomata develop on the surface of dead wood remnants; they are rather large, globose to irregularly shaped, and vividly coloured. The fresh stroma interior is filled with a liquid matter. In early studies, the genus was considered to have a preference for tropical habitats, while in more recent field research, numerous collections have been added from warm, temperate areas of Europe, North America, and Asia. Our taxonomic and phylogenetic studies were based on freshly collected E. cinnabarinum from Croatia and E. liquescens from the USA. A phylogenetic study of the sequence alignment of four concatenated gene regions (ITS, LSU, rpb2, and β-tub) revealed the true taxonomic position of Entonaema within Hypoxylaceae (Xylariales), a sister to Hypoxylon carneum. Detailed macroscopic and microscopic descriptions of E. cinnabarinum are accompanied by drawings and colour photographs, while the study of E. liquescens is focused on stromatal microchemical reaction. With new information, the worldwide identification key to the putative species of Entonaema is proposed. Ecological data and biogeographical patterns were studied using all available and reliable sources of recorded data. Climatic preferences of the two most widespread Entonaema species, E. liquescens and E. cinnabarinum, are discussed in detail.

Integrative Taxonomic Reappraisal and Evolutionary Biogeography of the Most Diverse Freshwater Mussel Clade from Southeast Asia (Pseudodontini)

Freshwater mussels belonging to the tribe Pseudodontini (Bivalvia: Unionidae: Gonideinae) play a keystone role in riverine and lacustrine environments throughout Southeast Asia. Many of them are narrowly endemic and habitat specialists, which need special conservation efforts. Unfortunately, the systematics of this group is rather poorly understood. Here, we show that Pseudodon inoscularis, the type species of the genus Pseudodon, belongs to the eastern clade of the tribe (Southeast Asia, east of the Salween Basin), and, more certainly, clusters with members of the genus Monodontina. Hence, the latter genus becomes a synonym of Pseudodon, while the subtribe Pseudodontina (=Pilsbryoconchina syn. nov.) should be used as a name for the eastern clade. In turn, the genus Indopseudodon stat. rev. and the subtribe Indopseudodontina subtr. nov. must be applied as valid names for the western clade of the Pseudodontini (Ayeyarwady to Salween). We present a revision of the genus Indopseudodon with an updated synonymy and a description of a new species, I. indawgyiensis sp. nov. We also link four species-level genetic lineages from the Mekong to available taxonomic names in the genera Pseudodon and Sundadontina (Pseudodon cambodjensis, P. vagulus, Sundadontina harmandi, and S. sulcata). Based on morphological features, we revise the taxonomic position of several recent and fossil species that were traditionally placed in the Pseudodontini and transfer them to the genera Parvasolenaia, Pseudodontopsis, Ptychorhynchus, Simpsonasus nom. nov. (a new name for Nasus Simpson, 1900) (Gonideinae: Gonideini), Pseudobaphia (Unioninae: Unionini), Balwantia and Lamellidens (Parreysiinae: Lamellidentini).

Acinetobacter entericus sp. nov., isolated from the gut of plastic-eating insect larvae Zophobas atratus.

A Gram-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped strain, BIT-DXN8T, was isolated from the gut of plastic-eating insect larvae Zophobas atratus. The taxonomic position of this new isolate was examined by using a polyphasic approach. A preliminary analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence (1411 bp) indicated that the most similar strain to BIT-DXN8T was Acinetobacter bouvetii DSM 14964T (98.5%), followed by Acinetobacter haemolyticus CIP 64.3T (98.2%) and Acinetobacter pullicarnis S23T (98.2%). The results of phylogenetic analyses, based on the 16S rRNA gene, concatenated sequences of five housekeeping genes (fusA, gyrB, recA, rplB and rpoB) and genome sequences, placed strain BIT-DXN8T in a separate lineage among the genus Acinetobacter of the family Moraxellaceae. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of the strain when compared to all other species within the genus Acinetobacter were below 96 and 70 %, respectively. The physiological and biochemical tests confirm the affiliation of strain BIT-DXN8T to the present species within the genus Acinetobacter, but with some specific phenotypic differences. Therefore, strain BIT-DXN8T is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Acinetobacter entericus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BIT-DXN8T (=CCTCC AB 2022117T=KCTC 92696T).

An Introduction to Indonesian Wild Shiitake

Pegler suggested that shiitake comprises three morphological species: Lentinula edodes (continental and northeast Asia), L. lateritia (tropical Asia and Australasia), and L. novae-zelandiae (New Zealand). The current study reported for the first time the occurrence of L. lateritia (Berk.) Pegler in Indonesia. During a fungus foray in Kerinci (Jambi, Sumatra, Indonesia) in 2022 and 2023 by the Indonesian mushroom hunter community, some basidiomata of Lentinula were obtained. At a glance, our specimens resembled L. edodes. The current study aims to justify the taxonomical position of our specimens based on morphological and molecular data. The fresh basidiomata were used for morphological and molecular analyses. The molecular work was done using ITS 4/5 Primers for phylogenetic analysis of rDNA-ITS region. Morphologically, the uniformly reddish brown, smooth, and glabrous of pileus confirmed our specimens as L. lateritia. In addition, the absence of a range of colors and squamules pileus distinguished L. lateritia BO24628 form L. edodes, while the formation of florets cheilocystidia in L. madagasikarensis was the distinctive character of our specimens. The BLAST result revealed that our specimen has high similarity (99-100%) with L. lateritia and L. edodes as the top hits. The phylogenetic tree (RAxML) nested our specimens in the L. lateria clade and is closely related to one specimen from Papua New Guenia (PNG) (BS 98%). In addition, L. lateritia BO24628 has a sister clade of the specimen from PNG and Australia. Moreover, we provide the herbarium collection of wild L. lateritia in Indonesia.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Acacia nilotica and Coffea arabica Using Protein Sequences from the Chloroplast RBCL Gene

The genus Acacia is important economically to local communities in sub-Saharan Africa for its medicinal and beverage usage. The bark extract is used for making a coffee-like concoction, which is named by locals as ‘Wild coffee’ due to its brown color. The objective of this study was to compare the evolutionary analysis of A. nilotica and C. arabica -based amino acids sequence of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase. The results showed that A. nilotica and C. arabica are polyphyletic and the subspecies A. nilotica and A. n. hemispherica formed the sister group, same as the species C. arabica, C. salvatrix, and C. racemosa. The chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene, which encodes the large subunit of ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), is a valuable marker for investigating the evolutionary relationships between plant species. In this study, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of two economically and ecologically significant plants, Acacia nilotica and Coffea arabica, using protein sequences derived from the chloroplast rbcL gene. A multiple sequence alignment of the rbcL protein sequences was performed, and a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed using the RAxML algorithm. The tree was rooted using a Thiotrichales bacterium as an outgroup sequence to establish the evolutionary context. Branch support values were calculated to assess the statistical robustness of the inferred relationships. The results of the phylogenetic analysis revealed the evolutionary relationship between Acacia nilotica and Coffea arabica within the context of other plant taxa. The phylogenetic tree provided insights into their shared ancestry, divergence time, and taxonomic placement within the larger plant kingdom. We identified conserved regions in the rbcL protein sequences, reflecting functional importance, as well as divergent regions, suggesting potential adaptive evolution. The significance of our study lies in understanding the evolutionary history and taxonomic position of these economically important plant species. This knowledge has implications for biodiversity conservation, crop improvement, and ecosystem management. The study also highlights the utility of the rbcL gene as a valuable tool for investigating plant phylogenetics. In conclusion, our phylogenetic analysis using the rbcL protein sequences provides valuable insights into the evolutionary relationship between Acacia nilotica and Coffea arabica. This research contributes to our understanding of plant evolution and has practical applications in various fields, from agriculture to conservation.

Studies on tribe Psammodiini (Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) with description of two new genera and one new species

ABSTRACT Two new genera are described and illustrated in Psammodiini Mulsant, 1842: Neomyrhessus gen. nov. and Pseudomyrhessus gen. nov. Both are removed from the genus Myrhessus Balthasar, 1955, which is the most similar to new genera. In addition, a new species of the genus Neomyrhessus gen. nov. from China: Neomyrhessus nanjingensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Notes on the taxonomic position of all above genera are also given.

First fossil evidence of samaras of Ailanthus Desf. (Simaroubaceae) from India and its implications

Even though it is now widespread in Asia and was widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere during the Cenozoic, fruits of the genus Ailanthus Desf. (Simaroubaceae) have not previously been documented from the Cenozoic of India. Here, we report the first Indian occurrence of fossil winged fruits corresponding to the modern genus Ailanthus having samaroid mericarps with a centrally placed seed from the latest Neogene sediments of Chotanagpur Plateau, eastern India. We determine their taxonomic position based on a detailed morphological comparison with similar modern and fossil specimens and discuss their palaeoclimatic significance. The fossil fruits are elongated, elliptic samaroid mericarps with a centrally placed seed and a marginal ventral vein starting from the seed extend to the base of the fruit. The fruits are 24–39 mm long and 11–16 mm wide. Based on the available morphological characters including locations of the stylar scar, main ventral vein, and the size of the samara, we assign these specimens to the fossil species Ailanthus confucii Unger. This species has a rich fossil record from the Cenozoic sediments of Europe, North America, and eastern Asia. However, this is the first report of A. confucii in India, which is significant for this species’s biogeographic and evolutionary history. Based on morphological comparisons, A. confucii shows affinity to modern A. altissima. Here, we also review the biogeographic history of Ailanthus and suggest its possible migratory routes.