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Showing papers on "Genus published in 2011"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Beauveria is a cosmopolitan anamorphic genus of arthropod pathogens that includes the agronomically important species, B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, which are used as mycoinsecticides for the biological control of pest insects as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Beauveria is a cosmopolitan anamorphic genus of arthropod pathogens that includes the agronomically important species, B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, which are used as mycoinsecticides for the biological control of pest insects. Recent phylogenetic evidence demonstrates that Beauveria is monophyletic within the Cordycipitaceae (Hypocreales), and both B. bassiana and B. brongniartii have been linked developmentally and phylogenetically to Cordyceps species. Despite recent interest in the genetic diversity and molecular ecology of Beauveria, particularly as it relates to their role as pathogens of insects in natural and agricultural environments, the genus has not received critical taxonomic review for several decades. A multilocus phylogeny of Beauveria based on partial sequences of RPB1, RPB2, TEF and the nuclear intergenic region, Bloc, is presented and used to assess diversity within the genus and to evaluate species concepts and their taxonomic status. B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, both which represent species complexes and which heretofore have lacked type specimens, are redescribed and types are proposed. In addition six new species are described including B. varroae and B. kipukae, which form a biphyletic, morphologically cryptic sister lineage to B. bassiana, B. pseudobassiana, which also is morphologically similar to but phylogenetically distant from B. bassiana, B. asiatica and B. australis, which are sister lineages to B. brongniartii, and B. sungii, an Asian species that is linked to an undetermined species of Cordyceps. The combination B. amorpha is validly published and an epitype is designated.

305 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
18 Nov 2011
TL;DR: The current classification developed in several recent publications is presented and a summary to facilitate the identification of taxa from genus to class level is provided.
Abstract: Concomitant morphological and molecular analyses have led to major breakthroughs in the taxonomic organization of the phylum Glomeromycota. Fungi in this phylum are known to form arbuscular mycorrhiza, and so far three classes, five orders, 14 families and 29 genera have been described. Sensu lato, spore formation in 10 of the arbuscular mycorrhiza-forming genera is exclusively glomoid, one is gigasporoid, seven are scutellosporoid, four are entrophosporoid, two are acaulosporoid, and one is pacisporoid. Spore bimorphism is found in three genera, and one genus is associated with cyanobacteria. Here we present the current classification developed in several recent publications and provide a summary to facilitate the identification of taxa from genus to class level.

267 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The red algal order Bangiales has been revised as a result of detailed regional studies and the development of expert local knowledge of Bangials floras, followed by collaborative global analyses based on wide taxon sampling and molecular analyses as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The red algal order Bangiales has been revised as a result of detailed regional studies and the development of expert local knowledge of Bangiales floras, followed by collaborative global analyses based on wide taxon sampling and molecular analyses. Combined analyses of the nuclear SSU rRNA gene and the plastid RUBISCO LSU (rbcL) gene for 157 Bangiales taxa have been conducted. Fifteen genera of Bangiales, seven filamentous and eight foliose, are recognized. This classification includes five newly described and two resurrected genera. This revision constitutes a major change in understanding relationships and evolution in this order. The genus Porphyra is now restricted to five described species and a number of undescribed species. Other foliose taxa previously placed in Porphyra are now recognized to belong to the genera Boreophyllum gen. nov., Clymene gen. nov., Fuscifolium gen. nov., Lysithea gen. nov., Miuraea gen. nov., Pyropia, and Wildemania. Four of the seven filamentous genera recognized in our analyses already have generic names (Bangia, Dione, Minerva, and Pseudobangia), and are all currently monotypic. The unnamed filamentous genera are clearly composed of multiple species, and few of these species have names. Further research is required: the genus to which the marine taxon Bangia fuscopurpurea belongs is not known, and there are also a large number of species previously described as Porphyra for which nuclear SSU ribosomal RNA (nrSSU) or rbcL sequence data should be obtained so that they can be assigned to the appropriate genus.

261 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Over 200 new sequences are generated for members of the genus Acremonium and related taxa including ribosomal small subunit sequences (SSU) for phylogenetic analysis and large subunit (LSU) sequences for phylogeny and DNA-based identification.

217 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The combined phylogenetic analysis shows that the present concept of Fusarium is not monophyletic and that the genus divides into two large groups, one basal in the family, the other terminal, separated by a large group of species classified in genera such as Calonectria, NeonECTria, and Volutella.

206 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that the large number of described species has resulted from introductions based on host association and that many of these are probably not good biological species and researchers should refrain from providing the exact name of species.
Abstract: The genus Pestalotiopsis has received considerable attention in recent years, not only because of its role as a plant pathogen but also as a commonly isolated endophyte which has been shown to produce a wide range of chemically novel diverse metabolites. Classification in the genus has been previously based on morphology, with conidial characters being considered as important in distinguishing species and closely related genera. In this review, Pestalotia, Pestalotiopsis and some related genera are evaluated; it is concluded that the large number of described species has resulted from introductions based on host association. We suspect that many of these are probably not good biological species. Recent molecular data have shown that conidial characters can be used to distinguish taxa; however, host association and geographical location is less informative. The taxonomy of the genera complex remains confused. There are only a few type cultures and, therefore, it is impossible to use gene sequences in GenBank to clarify species names reliably. It has not even been established whether Pestalotia and Pestalotiopsis are distinct genera, as no isolates of the type species of Pestalotia have been sequenced, and they are morphologically somewhat similar. When selected GenBank ITS accessions of Pestalotiopsis clavispora, P. disseminata, P. microspora, P. neglecta, P. photiniae, P. theae, P. virgatula and P. vismiae are aligned, most species cluster throughout any phylogram generated. Since there appears to be no living type strain for any of these species, it is unwise to use GenBank sequences to represent any of these names. Type cultures and sequences are available for the recently described species P. hainanensis, P. jesteri, P. kunmingensis and P. pallidotheae. It is clear that the important species in Pestalotia and Pestalotiopsis need to be epitypified so that we can begin to understand the genus/genera. There are numerous reports in the literature that various species produce taxol, while others produce newly discovered compounds with medicinal potential and still others cause disease. The names assigned to these novel compound-producing taxa lack an accurate taxonomic basis, since the taxonomy of the genus is markedly confused. Until the important species have been epitypified with living strains that have been sequenced and deposited in public databases, researchers should refrain from providing the exact name of species.

203 citations


Book
10 Aug 2011

180 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A preliminary phylogenetic framework for Mimosa is established that can be used to infer patterns of morphological evolution and relationships and which provides pointers toward a revised infrageneric classification.
Abstract:  Premise of the study: Large genera provide remarkable opportunities to investigate patterns of morphological evolution and historical biogeography in plants. A molecular phylogeny of the species-rich and morphologically and ecologically diverse genus Mimosa was generated to evaluate its infrageneric classifi cation, reconstruct the evolution of a set of morphological characters, and establish the relationships of Old World species to the rest of the genus.  Methods: We used trnD-trnT plastid sequences for 259 species of Mimosa (ca. 50% of the total) to reconstruct the phylogeny of the genus. Six morphological characters (petiolar nectary, infl orescence type, number of stamens, number of petals, pollen type, and seismonasty) were optimized onto the molecular tree.  Key results: Mimosa was recovered as a monophyletic clade nested within the Piptadenia group and includes the former members of Schrankia , corroborating transfer of that genus to Mimosa . Although we found good support for several infrageneric groups, only one section ( Mimadenia ) was recovered as monophyletic. All but one of the morphological characters analyzed showed high levels of homoplasy. High levels of geographic structure were found, with species from the same area tending to group together in the phylogeny. Old World species of Mimosa form a monophyletic clade deeply nested within New World groups, indicating recent (6 – 10 Ma) long-distance dispersal.  Conclusions: Although based on a single plastid region, our results establish a preliminary phylogenetic framework for Mimosa that can be used to infer patterns of morphological evolution and relationships and which provides pointers toward a revised infrageneric classifi cation.

174 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2011-Fottea
TL;DR: This study led to a new understanding of the evolution of morphology within the genus Chlorella and to an emendation of the generic description.
Abstract: After the description of Chlorella vulgaris by Beijerinck, 120 years ago, members of the genus Chlorella belong to the best studied green algae worldwide. However, numerous open questions remained regarding their systematics. Recent molecular studies showed the polyphyly of the genus within the Chlorophyceae and Trebouxiophyceae. Chlorella-species were traditionally characterized by spherical to oval cell shape, solitary lifeform and the absence of mucilaginous envelopes. The challenge in the past was how to distinguish species due to their high phylogenetic diversity combined with a limited amount of morphological characters. Using a polyphasic approach of SSU- and ITS rDNA phylogeny, secondary structure of the ITS and light microscopic observations, we were able to detect six lineages with Dictyosphaerium-like strains in close relationship to C. vulgaris, here described or combined newly as C. coloniales sp. nov., C. pituita sp. nov., C. pulchelloides sp. nov., C. singularis sp. nov., C. elongata comb. nov. and C. chlorelloides comb. nov. Furthermore, three new species without mucilage were described as C. lewinii sp. nov., C. rotunda sp. nov. and C. volutis sp. nov. Using the 5.8S rRNA and part of the ITS-2 as molecular signature (barcode), we were able to distinguish not only the five already known species of Chlorella, C. vulgaris, C. sorokiniana, C. heliozoae, C. lobophora and C. variabilis but the seven new species and two new combinations as well. CBCs and hemi-CBCs within the secondary structure of the ITS-2 confirmed the separation of the species. Our study led to a new understanding of the evolution of morphology within the genus Chlorella and to an emendation of the generic description.

130 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results of a study comparing the chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic positions of members of the genus Arcanobacterium indicated that the genus was not monophyletic and, therefore, was in need of taxonomic revision.
Abstract: The results of a study comparing the chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic positions of members of the genus Arcanobacterium indicated that the genus was not monophyletic and, therefore, was in need of taxonomic revision. Phylogenetically, the genus Arcanobacterium consisted of two distinct lines; a group comprising the species Arcanobacterium haemolyticum (the type species of the genus), A. hippocoleae, A. phocae and A. pluranimalium and a robust group consisting of the species A. abortisuis, A. bernardiae, A. bialowiezense, A. bonasi and A. pyogenes. On the basis of 16S rRNA signature nucleotide comparisons and menaquinone and phospholipid compositions, it is proposed that of these nine species only four, A. haemolyticum, A. hippocoleae, A. phocae and A. pluranimalium, should be affiliated with the genus Arcanobacterium and the species A. abortisuis, A. bernardiae, A. bialowiezense, A. bonasi and A. pyogenes should be reclassified as members of a new genus, Trueperella, as Trueperella abortisuis comb. nov., Trueperella bernardiae comb. nov., Trueperella bialowiezensis comb. nov., Trueperella bonasi comb. nov. and Trueperella pyogenes comb. nov. Positive results in Christie–Atkins–Munch-Petersen (CAMP) tests on A. haemolyticum, A. hippocoleae, A. phocae and A. pluranimalium also supported the rearrangement of the nine species in to separate genera. As such, an emended description of the genus Arcanobacterium is provided.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The phylogenetic relationships of two species that mimic Chaetosphaeria in teleomorph and anamorph morphologies, ChaetOSphaeria tulasneorum with a Cylindrotrichum anamorph and Australiasca queenslandica with a Dischloridium anamorph are examined.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new genus and species of cricetid rodent from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, one of the most endangered eco-regions of the world, is described, which displays some but not all synapomorphies of the tribe Oryzomyini.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A phylogenetic tree is generated by combined gene analysis (ITS, partial actin and partial elongation factor 1α) using a selected set of taxa including type-derived sequences available in GenBank to present an example of resolved and newly described species in the genus Phyllosticta.
Abstract: Phyllosticta is an important coelomycetous plant pathogenic genus known to cause leaf spots and various fruit diseases worldwide on a large range of hosts. Species recognition in Phyllosticta has historically been based on morphology, culture characters and host association. Although there have been several taxonomic revisions and enumerations of species, there is still considerable confusion when identifying taxa. Recent studies based on molecular data have resolved some cryptic species and some novel taxa have been discovered. However, compared to the wide species diversity and taxonomic records, there is a lack of molecular studies to resolve current names in the genus. A phylogenetic tree is here generated by combined gene analysis (ITS, partial actin and partial elongation factor 1α) using a selected set of taxa including type-derived sequences available in GenBank. Life modes, modal lifecycle and applications of the genus in biocontrol and metabolite production are also discussed. We present a selected set of taxa as an example of resolved and newly described species in the genus and these are annotated with host range, distribution, disease symptoms and notes of additional information with comments where future work is needed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The hypothesis is raised that S. Arthrophycus could be merged to S. subgen.
Abstract: Sargassum C. Agardh is one of the morphologically most complex phaeophyceaen genera and represents the most species-rich genus of the brown algal order Fucales Bory de Saint-Vincent (Phaeophyceae). The genus’ classification system dates back to the 19th century and is based on observed differences in macro-morphological characters. Those morphological characters may display important variation within individual species, and several authors have linked the taxonomic complexity of the genus to its highly polymorphic nature and phenotypic plasticity. Among the large choice of existing species and subspecies epithets (about 1000), identifying taxa accurately is a difficult task, often relying on authors’ interpretation of short Latin diagnoses or descriptions published in local Floras. Recently, the study of individual species’ morphological range and DNA phylogenies underlined inconsistencies within low taxonomic levels (sections, subsections, series and species groups). Results highlighted the weak taxonomic value of traditional characters used to classify species, and pointed out significant taxonomic issues. The four Sargassum subgenera (S. subgen. Arthrophycus, Bactrophycus, Sargassum and Phyllotrichia) are now subdivided into a total of 12 sections and further subdivisions were abandoned. Two possible new sections need to be assessed. In the present paper, we raise the hypothesis that S. subgen. Arthrophycus could be merged to S. subgen. Bactrophycus, and that S. subgen. Phyllotrichia could be transferred to the recently reinstated genus Sargassopsis Trevisan. We also propose that two sections of the S. subgen. Bactrophycus: S. sect. Halochloa and Repentia be merged. A summary of the actual classification is given along with an identification key for Sargassum subdivisions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that the unique tree topologies of lys2 are not due to an analytical artefact, but due to differences in the evolutionary history of genomes caused by positive selection of particular lineages.
Abstract: Species of the Fusarium genus are important fungi which is associated with health hazards in human and animals The taxonomy of this genus has been a subject of controversy for many years Although many researchers have applied molecular phylogenetic analysis to examine the taxonomy of Fusarium species, their phylogenetic relationships remain unclear only few comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of the Fusarium genus and a lack of suitable nucleotides and amino acid substitution rates A previous stugy with whole genome comparison among Fusairum species revealed the possibility that each gene in Fusarium genomes has a unique evolutionary history, and such gene may bring difficulty to the reconstruction of phylogenetic tree of Fusarium There is a need not only to check substitution rates of genes but also to perform the exact evaluation of each gene-evolution We performed phylogenetic analyses based on the nucleotide sequences of the rDNA cluster region (rDNA cluster), and the β-tubulin gene (β-tub), the elongation factor 1α gene (EF-1α), and the aminoadipate reductase gene (lys2) Although incongruence of the tree topologies between lys2 and the other genes was detected, all genes supported the classification of Fusarium species into 7 major clades, I to VII To obtain a reliable phylogeny for Fusarium species, we excluded the lys2 sequences from our dataset, and re-constructed a maximum likelihood (ML) tree based on the combined data of the rDNA cluster, β-tub, and EF-1α Our ML tree indicated some interesting relationships in the higher and lower taxa of Fusarium species and related genera Moreover, we observed a novel evolutionary history of lys2 We suggest that the unique tree topologies of lys2 are not due to an analytical artefact, but due to differences in the evolutionary history of genomes caused by positive selection of particular lineages This study showed the reliable species tree of the higher and lower taxonomy in the lineage of the Fusarium genus Our ML tree clearly indicated 7 major clades within the Fusarium genus Furthermore, this study reported differences in the evolutionary histories among multiple genes within this genus for the first time

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The most comprehensive study to date of species groups in Ctenomys (tuco-tucos), a species-rich genus of Neotropical rodents, estimates that most species groups originated approximately 3 million years ago.
Abstract: We present the most comprehensive study to date of species groups in Ctenomys (tuco-tucos), a species-rich genus of Neotropical rodents. To explore phylogenetic relationships among 38 species and 12 undescribed forms we sequenced the complete mitochondrial cytochrome-b genes of 34 specimens and incorporated 50 previously published sequences. Parsimony, likelihood, and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were performed using additional hystricognath rodents as outgroup taxa. The basal dichotomy of Ctenomys splits C. sociabilis from the remaining tuco-tucos, within which 8 main species groups were identified: boliviensis, frater, mendocinus, opimus, magellanicus, talarum, torquatus, and tucumanus. Whereas most of these groups refer to previous clades proposed on the basis of chromosomes or morphology, the torquatus and magellanicus species groups are novel taxonomic hypotheses. However, relationships among species groups are poorly resolved. Furthmore, the positions of C. leucodon, C. maulinus, and C. t...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The phylogeny of the ascomycetous yeasts is discussed, with emphasis on the genus Pichia and its synonym Hansenula and the reason for reclassification of PichIA anomala in the genus Wickerhamomyces is discussed.
Abstract: In this review, the phylogeny of the ascomycetous yeasts is discussed, with emphasis on the genus Pichia and its synonym Hansenula. The genus Pichia, as defined from phenotype, had nearly 100 assigned species, but the number of species has been reduced to 20 following phylogenetic circumscription on Pichia membranifaciens, the type species of the genus. The remaining species of Pichia have been reassigned to 20 different genera, many of which are newly described, such as Wickerhamomyces. The reason for reclassification of Pichia anomala in the genus Wickerhamomyces is discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the phylogenetic placement of members of this heterogeneous group of lichen-forming fungi and to improve the classification and phylogeny of Lecanoromycetes were investigated.
Abstract: The genus Lecidea Ach. sensu lato (sensu Zahlbruckner) includes almost 1200 species, out of which only 100 species represent Lecidea sensu stricto (sensu Hertel). The systematic position of the remaining species is mostly unsettled but anticipated to represent several unrelated lineages within Lecanoromycetes. This study attempts to elucidate the phylogenetic placement of members of this heterogeneous group of lichen-forming fungi and to improve the classification and phylogeny of Lecanoromycetes. Twenty-five taxa of Lecidea sensu lato and 22 putatively allied species were studied in a broad selection of 268 taxa, representing 48 families of Lecanoromycetes. Six loci, including four ribosomal and two protein-coding genes for 315- and 209-OTU datasets were subjected to maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. The resulting well supported phylogenetic relationships within Lecanoromycetes are in agreement with published phylogenies, but the addition of new taxa revealed putative rearrangements of several families (e.g. Catillariaceae, Lecanoraceae, Lecideaceae, Megalariaceae, Pilocarpaceae and Ramalinaceae). As expected, species of Lecidea sensu lato and putatively related taxa are scattered within Lecanoromycetidae and beyond, with several species nested in Lecanoraceae and Pilocarpaceae and others placed outside currently recognized families in Lecanorales and orders in Lecanoromycetidae. The phylogenetic affiliations of Schaereria and Strangospora are outside Lecanoromycetidae, probably with Ostropomycetidae. All species referred to as Lecidea sensu stricto based on morphology (including the type species, Lecidea fuscoatra [L.] Ach.) form, with Porpidia species, a monophyletic group with high posterior probability outside Lecanorales, Peltigerales and Teloschistales, in Lecanoromycetidae, supporting the recognition of order Lecideales Vain. in this subclass. The genus name Lecidea must be redefined to apply only to Lecidea sensu stricto and to include at least some members of the genus Porpidia. Based on morphological and chemical similarities, as well as the phylogenetic relationship of Lecidea pullata sister to Frutidella caesioatra, the new combination Frutidella pullata is proposed here.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The rDNA phylogenies indicate that the genus Chrysochromulina is paraphyletic and is divided into two major clades, and suggest a revision of the taxonomy of the Prymnesiales that is in accordance with available molecular evidence and supported by morphological data.
Abstract: Nucleotide sequences of the nuclear-encoded small subunit (18S rDNA) and partial large subunit (28S rDNA) ribosomal DNA were determined in 30 different species of the haptophyte genera Prymnesium, Chrysocampanula, Chrysochromulina, Imantonia and Platychrysis, all belonging to the order Prymnesiales Phylogenies based on these and other available haptophyte 18S, 28S and plastid 16S rDNA sequences were reconstructed, and compared with available morphological and ultrastructural data The rDNA phylogenies indicate that the genus Chrysochromulina is paraphyletic and is divided into two major clades This is supported by ultrastructural and morphological data There is a major split between Chrysochromulina species with a saddle-shaped cell form (clade B2) and the remaining species in the genus (clade B1) Clade B2 includes the type species C parva and taxa belonging to this clade thus retain the name Chrysochromulina The non-saddle-shaped Chrysochromulina species analysed are closely related to Hyalolithus, Prymnesium and Platychrysis species Imantonia species are sister taxa to these species within clade B1 An amendment to the classification of the order Prymnesiales and the genera Prymnesium, Platychrysis and Chrysochromulina is proposed with one new and one emended family (Chrysochromulinaceae and Prymnesiaceae, respectively), two new genera (Haptolina and Pseudohaptolina), and one new species (Pseudohaptolina arctica) We suggest a revision of the taxonomy of the Prymnesiales that is in accordance with available molecular evidence and supported by morphological data

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Genetic analysis of the coral genus Stylophora reveals species boundaries that are not congruent with morphological traits, which probably explains why this genus presents a higher biodiversity in the westernmost part of its area of distribution than in the "Coral Triangle".
Abstract: Morphological data suggest that, unlike most other groups of marine organisms, scleractinian corals of the genus Stylophora are more diverse in the western Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea than in the central Indo-Pacific. However, the morphology of corals is often a poor predictor of their actual biodiversity: hence, we conducted a genetic survey of Stylophora corals collected in Madagascar, Okinawa, the Philippines and New Caledonia in an attempt to find out the true number of species in these various locations. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial ORF and putative control region concurs with a haploweb analysis of nuclear ITS2 sequences in delimiting three species among our dataset: species A and B are found in Madagascar whereas species C occurs in Okinawa, the Philippines and New Caledonia. Comparison of ITS1 sequences from these three species with data available online suggests that species C is also found on the Great Barrier Reef, in Malaysia, in the South China Sea and in Taiwan, and that a distinct species D occurs in the Red Sea. Shallow-water morphs of species A correspond to the morphological description of Stylophora madagascarensis, species B presents the morphology of Stylophora mordax, whereas species C comprises various morphotypes including Stylophora pistillata and Stylophora mordax. Genetic analysis of the coral genus Stylophora reveals species boundaries that are not congruent with morphological traits. Of the four hypotheses that may explain such discrepancy (phenotypic plasticity, morphological stasis, morphological convergence, and interspecific hybridization), the first two appear likely to play a role but the fourth one is rejected since mitochondrial and nuclear markers yield congruent species delimitations. The position of the root in our molecular phylogenies suggests that the center of origin of Stylophora is located in the western Indian Ocean, which probably explains why this genus presents a higher biodiversity in the westernmost part of its area of distribution than in the "Coral Triangle".

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar project aims to evaluate and enumerate the native and naturalized vascular plant flora of Madagascar as mentioned in this paper, which is a collection of more than 4,100 species of vascular plants.
Abstract: Background and aims - The Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar project aims to evaluate and enumerate the native and naturalized vascular plant flora of Madagascar. In light of the past two decades of intensive collecting and taxonomic work, all relevant published literature and available specimens are being reassessed in order to evaluate the taxonomic status and distribution of the native and naturalized taxa of vascular plants. Here we provide current figures for the total numbers of vascular plants and levels of endemism at the order, family, genus and species levels, comparing them to previous historical counts and analyzing the distribution of the non-endemic element of the flora. Key Results - At the time of writing (April 2010), more than a century after Baron first counted 4,100 species of vascular plants in Madagascar, the Madagascar Catalogue database had registered a total of 14,883 accepted names at all taxonomic levels (64 orders, 243 families, 1,730 genera, 11,220 species and 1,626 infraspecific taxa). Of the 11,220 species of vascular plants in Madagascar, 10,650 (95%) are angiosperms, of which 331 are naturalized introduced species. The remaining accepted indigenous angiosperm species total 10,319, of which 8,621 (84%) are endemic to Madagascar (82% endemism for all indigenous vascular plants). Among the 1,698 non-endemic species of indigenous angiosperms, a total of 1,372 (81%) also occur in Africa, of these 654 (39%) are present only in Africa and Madagascar.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 2011
TL;DR: In this article, the authors revisited the Capnodiaceae with notes on selected genera and illustrated type specimens of the ascomycetous genera Aithaloderma, Anopeltis, Callebaea, Capnodaria, Echinothecium, Phragmocapnias and Scorias.
Abstract: In this paper we revisit the Capnodiaceae with notes on selected genera. Type specimens of the ascomycetous genera Aithaloderma, Anopeltis, Callebaea, Capnodaria, Echinothecium, Phragmocapnias and Scorias were re-examined, described and illustrated. Leptoxyphium is anamorphic Capnodiaceae and Polychaeton is a legitimate and earlier name for Capnodium, but in order to maintain nomenclatural stability we propose that the teleomorphic name should be considered for the approved lists of names currently in preparation for fungi. Notes are provided on the ascomycetous genus Scoriadopsis. However, we were unable to locate the type of this genus during the time frame of this study. The ascomycetous genera Aithaloderma, Ceramoclasteropsis, Hyaloscolecostroma and Trichomerium are excluded from Capnodiaceae on the basis of having ascostromata and trans-septate hyaline ascospores and should be accommodated in Chaetothyriaceae. Callebaea is excluded as the ascomata are thyriothecia and the genus is placed in Micropeltidaceae. Echinothecium is excluded as synonym of Sphaerellothecium and is transferred to Mycosphaerellaceae. The type specimen of Capnophaeum is lost and this should be considered as a doubtful genus. The coelomycetous Microxiphium is polyphyletic, while the status of Fumiglobus, Polychaetella and Tripospermum is unclear. Fourteen new collections of sooty moulds made in Thailand were isolated and sequenced. The nuclear large and small rDNA was partially sequenced and compared in a phylogeny used to build a more complete understanding of the relationships of genera in Capnodiaceae. Four new species are described and illustrated, while Phragmocapnias and Scorias are epitypified with fresh collections.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study of the R. melanophthalma species-complex indicates that the genus Rhizoplaca, as presently circumscribed, is more diverse in western North American than originally perceived, and is presented as a working example of species delimitation in morphologically cryptic and recently diverged lichenized fungi.

Journal IssueDOI
TL;DR: This paper is contribution #12 from the Canadian Pollination Initiative and aims to build on the work of Sheffield et al. (2011) by providing real-time information about bee establishment and behaviour in the presence of honey bees.
Abstract: * Department of Biology, York University 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 coryshefield@yahoo. ca; cratti@yorku.ca; xeromelissa@mail.com. ** USDA-ARS Bee Laboratory, Utah State Univ., Natural Resources Biology Bldg. Logan, UT 84322 Terry.Griswold@ars.usda.gov. 1This paper is contribution #12 from the Canadian Pollination Initiative. 2Corresponding Author. Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification No. 18 (November 2011) Sheffield et al.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In contrast to studies revealing previously undiscovered fungal lineages masked within lichen species circumscribed by traditional morphological and chemical concepts, the present study suggests that species diversity has been overestimated in the species-rich genus Xanthoparmelia.
Abstract: Premise of the study Accurate species delimitation is important for understanding the diversification of biota and has critical implications for ecological and conservation studies. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that morphology-based species circumspection in lichenized fungi misrepresents fungal diversity. The foliose lichen genus Xanthoparmelia includes over 800 species displaying a complex array of morphological and secondary metabolite diversity. Methods We used a multifaceted approach, applying phylogenetic, population genetic, and genealogical analyses to delimit species in a single well-supported monophyletic clade containing 10 morphologically and chemically diverse Xanthoparmelia species in western North America. Sequence data from four ribosomal and two low-copy, protein-coding markers, along with chemical and morphological data were used to assess species diversity. Key results We found that traditionally circumscribed species are not supported by molecular data. Rather, all sampled taxa were better represented by three polymorphic population clusters. Our results suggest that secondary metabolite variation may have limited utility in diagnosing lineages within this group, while identified populations clusters did not reflect major phylogeographic or ecological patterns. Conclusions In contrast to studies revealing previously undiscovered fungal lineages masked within lichen species circumscribed by traditional morphological and chemical concepts, the present study suggests that species diversity has been overestimated in the species-rich genus Xanthoparmelia.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Diversity in this study used approximately 50 distinct species from a small area of northern Thailand, most probably being novel species, indicating that Agaricus is a species-rich genus in the tropics as well as in temperate regions.
Abstract: Agaricus (Basidiomycota) is a genus of saprobic fungi that includes edible cultivated species such as Agaricus bisporus, the button mushroom. There has been considerable ecological, nutritional and medicinal interest in the genus, yet the extent of its diversity remains poorly known, particularly in subtropical and tropical areas. Classification of tropical species has for a large part followed the classification of temperate species. The objective of our study was to examine to what extent this system of classification is appropriate for tropical Agaricus species. Species from temperate sections were therefore compared to the major clades of tropical species using a phylogenetic approach. ITS1 + 2 sequence data from 128 species were used in the phylogenetic analysis. Specimens included four species of genera closely related to Agaricus, 38 temperate species representing the eight classical sections of the genus, and 86 putative species of Agaricus from tropical areas of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses produced relatively congruent trees and almost identical clades. Our data show that (i) only about one-third of tropical species belong to the classical sections based on temperate species; the systematics of the genus therefore needs to be expanded; (ii) among the remaining two-thirds of tropical species, those from the Americas and those from Africa and/or Asia group in distinct clades, suggesting that secondary diversification occurred in these two areas; (iii) in contrast, several clades of classical sections contain American and African + Asian species along with temperate species. In this study, we used approximately 50 distinct species from a small area of northern Thailand, most probably being novel species. This diversity indicates that Agaricus is a species-rich genus in the tropics as well as in temperate regions. The number of species and the hypothetical paleotropical origin of the genus are discussed.

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: This review will set out the state of art of Artemisia systematics and phylogeny, as well as all the biological aspects of the genus, with particular attention paid to those of genome organization, and of applied questions related to its useful taxa.
Abstract: Artemisia is one of the largest genera of the family Asteraceae or Compositae, itself the biggest flowering plant family. It comprises around 600 taxa at specific and subspecific levels, present in all continents but Antarctica, mostly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, with no more than 25 taxa in the Southern Hemisphere. The genus displays a huge ecological plasticity, with species occurring from sea level to high mountains and from arid zones to wetlands. Some species are cosmopolitan, including landscape-dominating plants over large areas, and others are endemics with a quite restricted distribution area. Many species of the genus have economic uses at both folk and industrial levels, and some of them are widely cultivated and submitted to breeding programmes as crops. In this review, we will set out the state of art of Artemisia systematics and phylogeny, as well as all the biological aspects of the genus, with particular attention paid to those of genome organization, and of applied questions related to its useful taxa. In the first part of this chapter, we will review all the systematic points in the genus and in some closely related genera that constitute, with the core genus Artemisia, a pool with controversial structuring. Besides, the infrageneric classification will be addressed. All these questions will be treated in the light of recent molecular phylogenetic studies, which have had an important impact on its systematics and taxonomy. A second part will be devoted to genome organization and evolution in Artemisia, with special attention to cytogenetic data, including genome size, and genetic variability. These points are relevant for understanding the evolutionary pathways in the genus and for applied purposes. The third and fourth parts of the chapter will review, respectively, the uses of Artemisia species in different domains and the biotechnological issues linked to their productivity. Finally, the perspectives of the knowledge and applied aspects of the genus will be addressed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The first robust estimate of phylogenetic relationships within the genus Brachymeles is provided using a multi-locus dataset and nearly complete taxonomic sampling and it is revealed that the limbless, monotypic, genus Davewakeum is nested within Brachymales.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The generic concept of the chlorophycean green algae Mychonastes and Pseudodictyosphaerium (preferably living in colonies) is evaluated by means of small-subunit and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA gene sequence analyses and microscopical observations, and all taxa of the two genera are combined under the generic name Mych onastes.
Abstract: KRIENITZ L., BOCK C., DADHEECH P.K. AND PROSCHOLD T. 2011. Taxonomic reassessment of the genus Mychonastes (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta) including the description of eight new species. Phycologia 50: 89-106. DOI: 10.2216/10- 15.1 The generic concept of the chlorophycean green algae Mychonastes (preferably living solitary) and Pseudodictyo- sphaerium (preferably living in colonies) is evaluated by means of small-subunit and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA gene sequence analyses and microscopical observations. Members of these genera belong to the most common chlorophycean algae of the picoplankton and small-sized nanoplankton of fresh and brackish waters. The morphological difference solitary vs colonial life form is not reflected by molecular phylogenetic data, and it is therefore systematically irrelevant. Consequently, all taxa of the two genera are combined under the generic name Mychonastes. The genus Mychonastes is emended. The synonymy of Mychonastes homosphaera (formerly Chlorella homosphaera) and Chlorella minutissima is confirmed. Eight new species are described from inland waters of Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Besides certain morphological criteria such as shape and size of the cells and appearance and organization of the mucilaginous strands among the cells of colonies, the main diacritic features are of genetic nature. Comparing the secondary structure of ITS-2, compensatory base changes are found to discriminate the new species. The species of Mychonastes form a monophyletic clade within the Sphaeropleales sensu lato.