Search Results (1,038)

Cyphellaceae, a small and under-studied family of Agaricales, includes mostly saprophytic taxa with varied basidiomes. In this study, we focus on wood-decay species with corticioid or stereoid basidiomes. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated ITS-nrLSU sequences uncovered seven generic lineages of corticioid or stereoid fungi—Acanthocorticium, Cericium, Chondrostereum, Cunninghammyces, Gloeostereum, Granulobasidium, and Stratocorticium gen. nov. The genus Cericium is shown to be in the Cyphellaceae family, and two new species, Cericium gloeocystidiatum and Stratocorticium sinensis, are described from East Asia. Morphologically, Ce. gloeocystidiatum is characterized by resupinate basidiomes with smooth hymenophores, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and micro-binding hyphae, cystidia with resinous-like or golden yellow contents, and ellipsoid basidiospores. Stratocorticium is monotypic, differing from Cericium by a trimitic hyphal system of clamped generative, micro-binding, and brown, thick-walled skeletal-like hyphae, clavate to cylindrical cystidia with homogenous, colorless contents, and hyphidia. Descriptions and illustrations are provided for the new taxa and Cericium luteoincrustatum, and a key to corticioid or stereoid genera in Cyphellaceae is included. Full article

Rapid urbanization has exerted immense pressure on urban environments, severely constraining the growth of ancient trees. The growth of ancient trees is closely linked to the microbial communities in their rhizospheres, and studying their community characteristics may provide new insights into promoting the growth and rejuvenation of ancient trees. In this study, the rhizosphere soil and root systems of ancient Ginkgo biloba trees (approximately 200 years old) and adult G. biloba trees (approximately 50 years old) in Shanghai were selected as research subjects. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and high-throughput sequencing were employed to investigate the diversity of microbial communities in the G. biloba rhizosphere. The results indicated that the 19 PLFA species selected to characterize the soil microbial community structure and biomass were present in the rhizosphere soil of both ancient and adult G. biloba trees. However, the total microbial biomass and the microbial biomass in the rhizosphere soil of ancient G. biloba were lower than the microbial biomass in the rhizosphere soil of adult G. biloba. The biomasses of Gram-negative bacteria (G⁻), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and protozoans (P) were significantly different. Total phosphorus, organic matter, and pH may be the key factors influencing the soil microbial community in the rhizosphere zone of ancient G. biloba. An in-depth study of AMF showed that the roots and rhizosphere soil of G. biloba contained abundant AMF resources, which were assigned to 224 virtual taxa using the MaarjAM reference database, belonging to four orders, ten families, and nineteen genera. The first and second most dominant genera were Glomus and Paraglomus, respectively. Archaeospora and Ambispora were more dominant in the rhizosphere than the roots. Furthermore, the abundance of live AMF was significantly higher in ancient G. biloba than in adult G. biloba. Therefore, future research should focus on the improvement of soil environmental characteristics and the identification and cultivation of indigenous dominant AMF in the rhizosphere of ancient G. biloba, aiming for their effective application in the rejuvenation of ancient trees. Full article

The Villafranchian stage in the mammal fauna evolution in Eurasia (ca. 3.6/3.4 Ma—ca. 1.2 Ma) is associated with the beginning of the formation of the modern appearance of the mammal megafauna of today’s Palaearctic. The cooling and the aridification starting with the beginning of the Early Pleistocene gradually eliminated the quasi-tropical appearance of the Late Neogene landscapes and fauna of Europe. The time from the Mid-Piacenzian (ca. 3.3–3.0 Ma) to the end of the Early Pleistocene was a time of particularly intense dispersal of species, of faunal exchange between Eurasia and Africa, and of the entry of new mammals into Europe from the East. That is why the correlation of the biochronology of the Villafranchian fauna between Eastern and Western Europe is of particular interest. Accumulated data make possible a more precise correlation of these faunas today. A correlation of selected Eastern European localities with established faunal units and MNQ zones is made in the present work. Usually, the dispersal from Asia or from E. Europe to W. Europe is instantaneous from a geological point of view, but in a number of cases, reaching W. Europe happens later, or some species known to be from Eastern Europe do not reach Western Europe. The main driving forces of the faunal dispersals, which are the key bioevents in the faunal formation, are climate changes, which in turn, affect the environment. We can summarize the following more significant Villafranchian bioevents in Europe: the End Pliocene (Early Villafranchian: MNQ16) turnover related to the first appearance of a number of taxa, for example, felids, canids, proboscideans, and ungulates; the Quaternary beginning turnover. Correlated with this are the beginning of the Middle Villafranchian, which should be placed at about 2.6 Ma; the Coste San Giacomo faunal unit turnover (Senèze and Slivnitsa localities should be included here, and the FU itself, at the very beginning of the late Villafranchian (=MNQ18a)); the Pachycrocuta event at the very beginning of the Olivola FU; and the events related to the Late Villafranchian/Epivillafranchian bounfary. Full article

Crepidotus subg. Dochmiopus contributes to more than half of Crepidotus species and exhibits highly hidden diversity. However, C. subg. Dochmiopus is challenging to study because the basidiomata of C. subg. Dochmiopus species are usually small and white, inconspicuous interspecific distinctions, and possess a familiar complex. In this study, we utilized a variety of characteristics for species identification, including habitat, presence or absence of a stipe in mature specimens, pileipellis and cheilocystidia patterns, whether the lamellae edges are fimbriated, and other characteristics. Above all, cheilocystidia and pileipellis patterns will be important in C. subg. Dochmiopus research. Based on the present specimens, we constructed a multigene phylogenetic tree (ITS + LSU) and recognized four new species: C. lamellomaculatus sp. nov., C. capitatocystidiatus sp. nov., C. succineus sp. nov., C. clavocystidiatustustus sp. nov. Detailed morphological descriptions, photographs, line drawings and comparisons with closely related taxa for the new species are provided. The current phylogenetic analysis does not support the previously classifications, indicating that the classification of Crepidotus requires re-evaluation. But the existing molecular datasets and species’ descriptions are insufficient to fully resolve the classification. Further integration of new gene segments and a comprehensive review of morphological characteristics will reveal a natural classification for Crepidotus. Full article

Based on our karyological findings in the Anacamptis Rich., Ophrys L., and Serapias L. genera, we have identified chromosomal markers within some hybrids and elucidated their interrelationships. Mitotic chromosomes of fifteen taxa were analyzed using the conventional Feulgen staining method. Only for Anacamptis ×gennarii (Rchb. f.) H.Kretzschmar, Eccarius & Dietr. [A. morio (L.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase × A. papilionacea (L.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase] and its parental species were some data obtained and reported with the banding method with Giemsa, Hoechst 33258 fluorochrome, and the FISH techniques. Our research involved new chromosomal measurements of fifteen taxa, including six hybrids, along with schematic representations. Morphometric parameters, i.e., M_CA and CV_CL, were used to evaluate karyotype asymmetry. Of meaning were the analyses performed on chromosomal complements of selected hybrids, which distinctly revealed marker chromosomes present in one or both putative parental species. Among the parents identified in some hybrids, Ophrys tenthredinifera Willd. has shown some interest due to the presence in its karyotype of a pair of chromosomes (n.1) showing a notable secondary constriction on the long arm. Indeed, one of the homologs is clearly distinguishable in the analyzed hybrids, where it clearly emerges as one of the putative parents. Given the challenges in detecting certain karyomorphological features within the Orchidinae subtribe using alternative methods, such as Giemsa C-banding or fluorescence banding, the Feulgen method remains valuable for cytogenetic characterization. It helps us to understand the genomes of hybrids and parental species, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of their genetic composition. Full article

Zelkova abelicea is an endemic tree growing only on eight mountain stands on the Greek island of Crete. The aim of this study was to determine the structure of the assemblages and analyze the diversity of the arachnid assemblages living on Zelkova abelicea, an endemic tree species in Crete. Material for the analyses was collected from tree trunks, oftentimes covered by bryophytes or lichens. In the examined material, 85 taxa were recorded. The most numerous groups represented in the analyzed material were Acari, including representatives of the orders Mesostigmata (78 ind. of 18 spp.) and Oribatida (1056 ind. of 51 spp.). In the order Mesostigmata the species represented by the highest numbers of specimens were Onchodellus karawaiewi (15 individuals) and Hypoaspisella sp. (13), which is probably a species new to science. In turn, representatives of the order Oribatida were much more numerous, with Zygoribatula exilis (284) and Eremaeus tuberosus (210) being identified in the largest numbers. Among the eight sampled localities, Gerakari (646 ind. and 50 spp.) and Omalos (409 ind. and 43 spp., respectively) had by far the richest assemblages. Statistical analyses confirmed the highly diverse character of the arachnid assemblages at the individual sites, which is a consequence not only of the varied numbers of arachnids found, but also of the presence of very rare species, such as Androlaelaps shealsi, Cosmolaelaps lutegiensis or Hoploseius oblongus. These results highlight the high species diversity of the arachnids found on Z. abelicea but also suggest the lack of connectivity between the isolated and fragmented forest stands on Crete. Full article

This paper describes a range of Paleozoic and Mesozoic mosses and assesses how far they can be referred to extant taxa at the family, ordinal, or class levels. The present study provides new data on Paleozoic mosses of the order Protosphagnales, re-evaluating affinities of some groups previously thought to be unrelated. The leaf areolation pattern, combined with the leaf costa anatomy, results in the subdivision of Protosphagnales into five separate families: Protosphagnaceae (at least six genera), Polyssaieviaceae (at least three genera), and three monogeneric families: Rhizonigeritaceae, Palaeosphagnaceae, and Servicktiaceae. We urge caution in referring Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic fossil mosses as members of Dicranidae and Bryidae, as they may belong to the extinct moss order Protosphagnales. Additional evidence supports the relation of the Permian genus Arvildia to extant Andreaeopsida. We segregate Late Palaeozoic and Early Mesozoic mosses that are superficially similar to extant members of either Dicranales or Polytrichales, into the artificial informal group of Archaeodicranids, distinguishing them from ecostate Paleozoic and Mesozoic mosses, which are combined here into another artificial informal group, Bryokhutuliinids. The latter includes the genus Bryokhutuliinia, widespread in contemporary Asia, from the Middle Jurassic to the Lower Cretaceous, as well as other superficially similar ecostate plants from different regions worldwide, ranging from the Upper Palaeozoic to the Lower Cretaceous. A list of Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Eocene moss fossils suitable for age calibration in phylogenetic trees is provided. Full article

Urbanization degrades natural habitats and creates new urban ecosystems like domestic gardens. The plant composition of these gardens varies with socio-economic factors and urban planning levels. However, the diversity and impact of introduced species are often poorly assessed, causing potential ecological imbalances (disruptions in the natural functioning and stability of ecosystems), particularly in Lubumbashi (DR Congo). The objective was to analyze the spatial structure, plant diversity, propagation strategies, and ecological functions of domestic gardens. Three distinct neighborhoods were selected: a planned, unplanned, and residential neighborhood. Twenty avenues (with five plots per avenue) were chosen to represent the diversity within each neighborhood, and stratified random sampling of plots was conducted to analyze gardening practices. Gardens were classified into types, and their vegetation was evaluated based on species origin and ecological impact. The analysis of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi reveals significant variations across different neighborhood types. Residential neighborhoods exhibit larger average garden sizes (315.1 m²), higher species richness (22 species), and larger plot sizes (1032 m²) compared to unplanned and planned neighborhoods, where garden areas and species richness are notably lower. Rectangular gardens dominate in unplanned areas, while planned neighborhoods feature more intentional landscaping elements, such as flowerbeds and hedges. The use of gardens for food production is prominent in planned areas (40.7%), whereas residential neighborhoods prioritize ornamentation (51.4%). The study identified 232 taxa across 68 families, with a predominance of exotic species (80%) in all neighborhoods, particularly in unplanned areas (82.25%). The data revealed that Mangifera indica and Persea americana are abundant in all neighborhoods, illustrating their adaptability to different urban contexts. Herbaceous species are most common, followed by woody plants, with vines being sparse. Species dispersal is primarily driven by human activities (anthropochory), accounting for over 85% in all neighborhoods. These findings highlight the strong human influence on the composition and structure of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi, emphasizing the dominance of exotic species and the importance of anthropogenic factors in shaping urban green spaces. Urban policies should incorporate strategies to minimize the negative impacts of exotic species on native flora. Full article

We revise the taxonomy of the frog genus Noblella on the basis of a molecular phylogeny. Previous studies recognized that Noblella is non-monophyletic, with one clade distributed from southeastern Peru to northeastern Bolivia and adjacent areas in Brazil and another clade distributed from northern Peru to Ecuador and southeastern Colombia. The lack of sequences from the type species Noblella peruviana prevented the investigation of its phylogenetic position and the status of related taxa. Our rediscovery after more than 115 years allowed for the inclusion of DNA sequences of Noblella peruviana obtained from specimens collected at the type locality in southeastern Peru. We inferred a phylogeny based on a concatenated dataset (three mitochondrial and two nuclear loci) using Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods. Our phylogeny corroborated the non-monophyly of Noblella and helped resolve the status of related taxa, including Psychrophrynella bagrecito, the type species of the genus Psychrophrynella (rediscovered after 42 years). We identified a clade containing N. peruviana, P. bagrecito, and other species of Noblella and Psychrophrynella distributed in southern Peru. Given that the name Noblella predates Psychrophrynella, we propose that Psychrophrynella should be considered a junior synonym of Noblella. The second clade contains species of Noblella distributed in Ecuador and northern Peru, including N. myrmecoides, which used to be the type species of the genus Phyllonastes. Consequently, we propose to reinstate the genus Phyllonastes to accommodate all species of Noblella distributed in Ecuador, northern Peru, southeastern Colombia, and adjacent areas in Brazil. We present an updated taxonomy including new combinations for 12 species and reinstatements for three species. Full article

Sulfur (S) is an essential nutrient for plant growth, influencing not only crop yields but also the composition and function of soil microbial communities. However, the differential effects of S fertilization on abundant and rare taxa in agricultural soils remain poorly understood. This study investigates the impact of different S fertilizer types on maize yield and the structure and stability of soil microbial communities, with a particular focus on abundant and rare taxa. S fertilization led to significant increases maize yield on two typical soils (black soil and sandy soil) (5.3–24.3%) and altered soil properties, including reducing pH (0.04–0.20) and increasing the available sulfur (AS) content (3.8–8.0 mg kg⁻¹), with ammonium sulfate having a more pronounced effect than elemental sulfur. Microbial analysis revealed distinct impacts on the diversity and community structure of both abundant and rare taxa. Elemental sulfur reduced the alpha diversity of abundant taxa more than ammonium sulfate, while NMDS indicated significant shifts in community structures, particularly among abundant taxa. Network analysis showed that S fertilization decreased the complexity of microbial interactions among rare taxa, with ammonium sulfate leading to simpler networks and elemental sulfur resulting in higher modularity. SEM highlighted that the diversity of rare taxa played a crucial role in influencing maize yield, alongside direct effects from soil properties such as AS and SAR (aryl sulfatase). Functional predictions demonstrated that amino acid metabolism and xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism pathways were enriched in rare taxa, suggesting significant implications for soil health and crop productivity. This study provides new insights into the roles of abundant and rare bacterial taxa under S fertilization, emphasizing their importance in optimizing fertilization strategies for enhanced crop yield in specific soil types. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of three new species of Tropicoporus from the southern parts of India. The analyses of the ITS and nLSU regions revealed the novelty of these species, which have been named T. pannaensis, T. subindicus, and T. xerophyticus. All three species possess pileate basidiomes, a monomitic hyphal system in the context, and the presence of cystidioles and setae. However, they differ significantly in their phylogenetic placements and other morpho-taxonomic features. Tropicoporus pannaensis is characterized by a meagrely ungulate basidiome, indistinct zones, and an obtuse margin. Tropicoporus subindicus has a triquetrous basidiome and a radially cracked, crusted pileal surface with an acute margin, while T. xerophyticus is distinguished by an imbricate, perennial basidiome with an abundantly warted pileal surface. A phylogenetic tree is provided to show the placement of the three new species, along with detailed descriptions and illustrations. Additionally, a key for the identification of the Asian species of Tropicoporus is presented. Full article

The diversity of phage-related sequences (PRSs) and their site-specific integration into the genomes of nonpathogenic, agriculturally valuable, nitrogen-fixing root nodule bacteria, such as Sinorhizobium meliloti, were evaluated in this study. A total of 314 PRSs, ranging in size from 3.24 kb to 88.98 kb, were identified in the genomes of 27 S. meliloti strains. The amount of genetic information foreign to S. meliloti accumulated in all identified PRSs was 6.30 Mb. However, more than 53% of this information was contained in prophages (Phs) and genomic islands (GIs) integrated into genes encoding tRNAs (tRNA genes) located on the chromosomes of the rhizobial strains studied. It was found that phiLM21-like Phs were predominantly abundant in the genomes of S. meliloti strains of distant geographical origin, whereas RR1-A- and 16-3-like Phs were much less common. In addition, GIs predominantly contained fragments of phages infecting bacteria of distant taxa, while rhizobiophage-like sequences were unique. A site-specific integration analysis revealed that not all tRNA genes in S. meliloti are integration sites, but among those in which integration occurred, there were “hot spots” of integration into which either Phs or GIs were predominantly inserted. For the first time, it is shown that at these integration “hot spots”, not only is the homology of attP and attB strictly preserved, but integrases in PRSs similar to those of phages infecting the Proteobacteria genera Azospirillum or Pseudomonas are also present. The data presented greatly expand the understanding of the fate of phage-related sequences in host bacterial genomes and also raise new questions about the role of phages in bacterial–phage coevolution. Full article

The South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedmann) has a vast range extending from northern Mexico, through Central America, to South America where it is an extremely polyphagous pest of wild and cultivated fruits. It is a complex of cryptic species currently composed of eight recognised morphotypes: “Mexican”, “Venezuelan”, “Andean”, “Peruvian”, “Ecuadorian”, and the three Brazilian morphotypes “Brazilian-1”, “Brazilian-2”, and “Brazilian-3”. Molecular markers that can identify the member species of the complex are crucial for the implementation of effective pest control measures, such as the sterile insect technique. The object of this study was to evaluate the use of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequence for discriminating several members of the A. fraterculus cryptic species complex (Mexican, Peruvian, and Brazilian-1) and a related species, Anastrepha schultzi Blanchard. The analysis highlighted significant genetic differentiation between the evaluated morphotypes, allowed their discrimination within the A. fraterculus cryptic species complex, and provided new insights into their genetic relationships. The ITS2 marker provides a basis for the development of taxonomic keys for the discrimination of the cryptic taxa within the A. fraterculus cryptic species complex. ITS2 also represents an important marker for the poorly studied species A. schultzi. Full article

The Sturnidae family comprises 123 recognized species in 35 genera. The taxa Mimidae and Buphagidae were formerly treated as subfamilies within Sturnidae. The phylogenetic relationships among the Sturnidae and related taxa (Sturnidae sensu lato) remain unresolved due to high rates of morphological change and concomitant morphological homoplasy. This study presents five new mitogenomes of Sturnidae sensu lato and comprehensive mitogenomic analyses. The investigated mitogenomes exhibit an identical gene composition of 37 genes—including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes—and one control region (CR). The most important finding of this study is drawn from CAM analyses. The surprisingly unique motifs for each species provide a new direction for the molecular species identification of avian. Furthermore, the pervasiveness of the natural selection of PCGs is found in all examined species when analyzing their nucleotide composition and codon usage. We also determine the structures of mt-tRNA, mt-rRNA, and CR structures of Sturnidae sensu lato. Lastly, our phylogenetic analyses not only well support the monophyly of Sturnidae, Mimidae, and Buphagidae, but also define nine stable subclades. Taken together, our findings will enable the further elucidation of the evolutionary relationships within Sturnidae sensu lato. Full article

Recent investigations in the upper Lower–Middle Pleistocene deposits of the Megalopolis Basin (Greece) led to the discovery of several sites/findspots with abundant faunal material. Here, we provide an updated overview including new results on the micro- and macro-mammal fauna. Important new discoveries comprise partial hippopotamus skeletons from Marathousa 1 and the new Lower Pleistocene site Choremi 6, as well as a second partial elephant skeleton from Marathousa 1, including a complete tusk and the rarely found stylohyoideum. Based on the first results from the newly collected micromammals, we discuss age constraints of the sites, and we provide biostratigraphic/biochronologic remarks on key mammal taxa for the Middle Pleistocene of Greece and southeastern Europe. The presence of mammals highly dependent on freshwater for their survival, together with temperate-adapted ones in several stratigraphic layers of the basin, including those correlated with glacial stages, when conditions were colder and/or drier, indicate the capacity of the basin to retain perennial freshwater bodies under milder climatic conditions, even during the harsher glacial periods of the European Middle Pleistocene, and further support its refugial status. Yet, the smaller dimensions of the Megalopolis hippopotamuses may represent a response to the changing environmental conditions of the epoch, not optimal for hippopotamuses. Overall, the Megalopolis Basin comprises a unique fossil record for southeastern Europe and provides valuable insights into the Middle Pleistocene terrestrial ecosystems of Europe, and hominin adaptations in particular. Full article