First report of Leucinodes africensis and Leucinodes laisalis on Solanum aethiopicum and Solanum melongena in farmer's fields in southern Ghana.

The eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB) is a devastating pest of eggplants (Solanum aethiopicum L. and Solanum melongena L.) in Ghana, causing significant economic losses. Although initially thought to be the Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee species found in Asia, recent European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization reports suggest its absence in Africa. However, eight Leucinodes species have been recently described in Africa, including two new species, Leucinodes africensis sp. n. and Leucinodes laisalis Walker, which were intercepted in eggplant fruits exported from Ghana to the United Kingdom. Despite the reported absence of L. orbonalis in Africa, it remains on the pest list of Ghana as a species known to attack eggplants. To accurately determine the identity of the EFSB complex occurring on eggplant in Southern Ghana, molecular and morphological taxonomic tools were employed, and adult male populations were monitored in on-farm conditions. Our results revealed the presence of two EFSB species, L. africensis and L. laisalis, in the shoot and fruits of eggplants, with L. africensis being the dominant species and widely distributed in Southern Ghana. Notably, L. africensis males were attracted to the pheromone lure of L. orbonalis despite the two species being biologically distinct. This study provides crucial information on correctly identifying the EFSB species attacking eggplants in Southern Ghana and has significant implications for developing management interventions against these pests and their effects on international eggplant trade.

Multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of Contracaecum magnipapillatum infections in Australian black noddies, Anous minutus (Charadriiformes: Laridae).

We provide the incidental necropsy findings associated with anisakid nematode infections of black noddy terns, Anous minutus Boie, 1844 (Charadriiformes: Laridae), from offshore islands in the southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Specimens collected from the proventriculi were identified morphologically as Contracaecum magnipapillatum Chapin, 1925 (Rhabditida: Anisakidae), using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The entire nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced to provide reference sequences for morphologically well-identified voucher specimens. Interestingly, after an alignment with closely related taxa using BLAST, sequences of the ITS1 and ITS2 were 100% identical to the sequences assigned to Contracaecum septentrionale Kreis, 1955, from a razorbill, Alca torda Linnaeus, 1758 (Charadriiformes: Alcidae), from Spain. These results either raise questions about the ITS as a genetic marker for some members of Contracaecum, or the identity of the specimens assigned to C. septentrionale, given that no supporting morphological data was associated with them. We highlight the need for a combined morphological and molecular approach to parasite diagnostics and the use of multiple genetic loci to resolve the molecular taxonomy of cryptic species. Morphological identifications should be taxonomically robust, transparent and precede the deposition of molecular barcodes in public repositories. The gross and histopathological findings of our investigation concur with previous reports of widespread Contracaecum infections in black noddies and support the contention that Contracaecum spp. are an unlikely primary cause of mortality.

Ganoderma lucidum: Insights on host range, diagnosis, and management strategies.

Forest ecosystems play an important role in upholding life on our planet. However, the onslaught of fungal pathogens like Ganoderma lucidum, poses a threat by decimating numerous tree species. G. lucidum identified as a root pathogen, causing root rot in numerous tree species of horticulture and forestry importance. The fungus initiates infection through basidiospores, which germinate and penetrate within roots and start to degrade lignocellulosic components of plant cells. Early-stage detection of G. lucidum, is challenging, while in advance stages, the wood undergoes softening and a loss of tensile strength, rendering the disease incurable. Hence, effective management of G. lucidum necessitates a pivotal role of disease diagnostic techniques, which are currently underutilized or inadequately accessible. Subsequent implementation of suitable control measures becomes imperative to thwart disease occurrence and mitigate its impact in early stages, thus preserving the vitality of forest ecosystems. This study provides comprehensive overview of G. lucidum, covering taxonomy, pathogenicity, disease cycle, diagnosis and effective control measures, which will be helpful in formulating effective diagnostic techniques for early management of root rot disease.

Comparison between p-distance and single-locus species delimitation models for delineating reproductively tested strains of pennate diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) using cox1, rbcL and ITS.

Several automated molecular methods have emerged for distinguishing eukaryote species based on DNA sequence data. However, there are knowledge gaps around which of these single-locus methods is more accurate for the identification of microalgal species, such as the highly diverse and ecologically relevant diatoms. We applied genetic divergence, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery for primary species delimitation (ABGD), Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP), Statistical Parsimony Network Analysis (SPNA), Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and Poisson Tree Processes (PTP) using partial cox1, rbcL, 5.8S + ITS2, ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2 markers to delineate species and compare to published polyphasic identification data (morphological features, phylogeny and sexual reproductive isolation) to test the resolution of these methods. ASAP, ABGD, SPNA and PTP models resolved species of Eunotia, Seminavis, Nitzschia, Sellaphora and Pseudo-nitzschia corresponding to previous polyphasic identification, including reproductive isolation studies. In most cases, these models identified diatom species in similar ways, regardless of sequence fragment length. GMYC model presented smallest number of results that agreed with previous published identification. Following the recommendations for proper use of each model presented in the present study, these models can be useful tools to identify cryptic or closely related species of diatoms, even when the datasets have relatively few sequences.

Unveiling the molecular identity of the diminutive cyprinid, Horadandia brittani (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), a species endemic to Southern India.

BACKGROUND: Horadandia brittani is a small cyprinid fish species initially discovered in the coastal floodplains of southern India. For almost 50 years, the genus Horadandia was monotypic with a single species confined to Sri Lanka. In 1992, a new species H. brittani was described from south-western India. Despite being described as a separate species, H. brittani was later considered a synonym of H. atukorali, but in 2013, researchers recognized it as a distinct species based on morphological differences. Despite this clarification, there was still a need to validate the identity of H. brittani and determine its evolutionary relationship with its closely related species using DNA sequences. METHODS: To address the uncertainties surrounding the identity of H. brittani, the present study utilized molecular techniques to generate DNA sequences. Sample collection involved obtaining specimens of H. brittani from their natural habitats. Subsequently, DNA was extracted from the collected samples, and the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase (COI) gene was amplified using appropriate methods. RESULTS: The analysis of DNA sequences obtained from the COI gene revealed significant genetic distinctions between H. brittani and H. atukorali. The genetic distance values between these two species ranged from 3.21 to 3.63%, clearly indicating that these two species are genetically separate entities. The study successfully established the phylogenetic relationships between H. brittani and H. atukorali based on the COI gene sequences, further confirming the validity of H. brittani as a distinct and separate species. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study conclusively demonstrate that H. brittani is a valid and separate species, distinct from H. atukorali. The genetic analysis based on mitochondrial COI gene sequences provided strong evidence for the differentiation between these two species. The molecular data generated in this research can be used to identify H. brittani quickly and accurately in the future.

Berry species and crop management approaches affect species diversity and abundance of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

Berries comprise an economically important group of crops. Knowledge about their arthropod pests and biological control agents is important in the development of more efficient integrated pest management programs. Identification of potential biocontrol agents based solely on morphological attributes may be difficult and so molecular techniques should be incorporated. Here we studied the species diversity of predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae, and how this diversity is affected by the berry species and crop management approaches, specifically pesticide application regimes. We sampled 15 orchards in the State of Michoacán, Mexico. Sites were selected based on berry species and pesticide regimes. Mite identification was achieved by combining morphological attributes and molecular techniques. Phytoseiidae diversity was compared amongst blackberry, raspberry and blueberry. Subsequently we studied the effect of berry species and pesticide regime on the abundance of the most prevalent phytoseiid species. We identified 11 species of phytoseiid mites. The greatest species diversity was found in raspberry, followed by blackberry and then blueberry. The most abundant species were Typhlodromalus peregrinus and Neoseiulus californicus. The abundance of T. peregrinus was significantly affected by pesticide application but not by berry species. In contrast, abundance of N. californicus was significantly affected by berry species but not by pesticide regime.

New Advances in Molecular Breast Cancer Pathology.

Breast cancer (BC) comprises a diverse spectrum of diseases featuring distinct presentation, morphological, biological, and clinical phenotypes. BC behaviour and response to therapy also vary widely. Current evidence indicates that traditional prognostic and predictive classification systems are insufficient to reflect the biological and clinical heterogeneity of BC. Advancements in high-throughput molecular techniques and bioinformatics have contributed to the improved understanding of BC biology, refinement of molecular taxonomies and the development of novel prognostic and predictive molecular assays. Molecular testing has also become increasingly important in the diagnosis and treatment of BC in the era of precision medicine. Despite the enormous amount of research work to develop and refine BC molecular prognostic and predictive assays, it is still in evolution and proper incorporation of these molecular tests into clinical practice to guide patient's management remains a challenge. With the increasing use of more sophisticated high throughput molecular techniques, large amounts of data will continue to emerge, which could potentially lead to identification of novel therapeutic targets and allow more precise classification systems that can accurately predict outcome and response to therapy. In this review, we provide an update on the molecular classification of BC and molecular prognostic assays. Companion diagnostics, contribution of massive parallel sequencing and the use of liquid biopsy are also highlighted.

Mitochondrial cytochrome b indicates the presence of two paraphyletic diverged lineages of the blue sheep Pseudois nayaur across the Indian Himalaya: conservation implications.

BACKGROUND: Populations exhibit signatures of local adaptive traits due to spatial and environmental heterogeneity resulting in microevolution. The blue sheep is widely distributed across the high Asian mountains and are the snow leopard's principal prey species. These mountains differ in their evolutionary history due to differential glaciation and deglaciation periods, orography, and rainfall patterns, and such factors causes diversification in species. METHODS AND RESULTS: Therefore, we assess the phylogeographic status of blue sheep using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (220 bp) across the Indian Himalayan region (IHR) and its relationship with other populations. Of the observed five haplotypes, two and three were from the western Himalayas (WH) and eastern Himalayas (EH) respectively. One of the haplotypes from WH was shared with the population of Pamir plateau, suggesting historical maternal connectivity between these areas. The phylogenetic analyses split the blue sheep into two paraphyletic clades, and western and eastern populations of IHR were within the Pamir and Tibetan plateau clades, respectively. We observed a relatively higher mean sequence divergence in the EH population than in the WH. CONCLUSION: We propose five 'Evolutionary Significant Units' across the blue sheep distribution range based on observed variation in the species' ecological requirements, orography, climatic conditions, and maternal lineages, viz.; Western Himalaya-Pamir plateau (WHPP); Eastern Himalaya-Tibetan plateau (EHTP); Qilian mountains; Helan mountains and Hengduan mountains population. Despite the small sample size, population divergence was observed across the IHR, therefore, we suggest a transboundary, collaborative study on comparative morphology, anatomy, ecology, behaviour, and population genetics using harmonized different genetic markers for identifying the overall taxonomic status of the blue sheep across its range for planning effective conservation strategies.

Lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus: ancient and re-emerging pathogens.

The title of this article refers to Table 1 in Zhou (2022, Infectious diseases of poverty: progress achieved during the decade gone and perspectives for the future. Infectious Diseases of Poverty 11, 1), in which it is indicated that Paragonimus species, like many other foodborne trematodes, are ancient pathogens that are also re-emerging to cause disease in modern times. This article provides a general overview of Paragonimus species and the disease they cause. This is followed by comments on several specific topics of current interest: taxonomy and distribution of members of the genus; details of the life cycle; global and regional prevalence of paragonimiasis; genomics of lung flukes and possible effects of global environmental change. Unresolved questions relating to these topics are discussed and gaps in knowledge identified.

Characterization of Clinostomum (Digenea: Clinostomidae) spp. in India.

Platyhelminths belonging to the family Clinostomidae (Digenea) have a worldwide distribution and are known to infect piscivorous birds through their intermediate hosts, usually fish species. In the present study, clinostome metacercariae were collected from fish hosts, including Channa punctata (Bloch 1793) (n = 25) and Trichogaster fasciata Bloch and Schneider 1801 (n = 25), from a freshwater system in India. The experimental infection of cattle egrets, Ardea (Bubulcus) ibis Linnaeus 1758, with some of the live metacercariae found in the present study was successful. Live adult parasites were obtained from the buccal cavity of the birds. Both metacercaria and adult specimens were subjected to molecular studies to obtain the sequences of 28S, ITS1, and ITS2 (nuclear rDNA) regions. The parasites were found to belong to three species, Clinostomum giganticum Agarwal 1959; C. piscidium Southwell and Prashad 1918; and Euclinostomum heterostomum (Rudolphi 1809). Phylogenetic analyses of the sequences obtained from the adults and metacercariae established a link between the metacercariae in the fish hosts and adults in the avian host, which is essential to elucidate their partial life cycle and specify morphological characteristics in the metacercarial stage.

Multigene phylogenetic data place monoraphid diatoms Schizostauron and Astartiella along with other fistula-bearing genera in the Stauroneidaceae1.

Presented here are new insights into the marine monoraphid diatom genera Schizostauron and Astartiella, based on molecular and morphological data, including descriptions of new species. Although no unambiguous morphological synapomorphies between the two genera are currently recognized, they are closely related by DNA sequence data. Heterovalvate frustules of Schizostauron are characterized by a bifid stauros on the raphe-bearing valve and intricate areolate occlusions on the sternum valve. In Astartiella, the raphe-bearing valve is characterized by a process resembling a fistula by morphology, while the sternum valve presents a particular striation pattern. Observations by light and electron microscopy were made, along with a molecular phylogenetic analysis using a three-gene (SSU, rbcL, and psbC) concatenated dataset. Three new Schizostauron species are described (S. kajotkei, S. rawaii, S. papilliareae), and two new combinations proposed (S. citronella and S. trachyderma) for species that were previously included either in Achnanthes and Cocconeis, respectively. Likewise, six new species of Astartiella (A. almalikii, A. bornmanii, A. chunlianlii, A. marksii, A. persica, and A. wangii) are described. Molecular results exclude Schizostauron and Astartiella from three clades of exclusively monoraphid diatoms, the Achnanthaceae, Cocconeidaceae, and Achnanthidiaceae, instead placing them in the Stauroneidaceae. Morphological features of Schizostauron and Astartiella, such as the stauros, fistula, and coaxial internal proximal raphe endings, are found in other genera in this clade, whereas the only common feature with monoraphid diatoms as whole group is the heterovalvy of frustules.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Neopestalotiopsis vitis associated with leaf blight disease of Manilkara zapota-a new record from India.

Sapota is an important horticultural crop grown in India, and Karnataka is a major producer of sapota. A characteristic leaf blight disease was observed in Southern Karnataka during field surveys conducted in 2019 with an incidence of 13-22% in approximately 45 ha of sapota field. The leaf blight-associated pathogen was isolated on the potato dextrose agar medium. A total of 12 isolates obtained from each location were identified culturally and morphologically. Based on the morphological and cultural features, the pathogen was identified as Pestalotiopsis or Neopestalotiopsis, which was further confirmed by molecular identification using a representative isolate (MZ03). The ITS rDNA and ß-tubulin genes were amplified and sequenced using ITS1/ITS4 and T1/T22 primer pairs respectively. nBLAST search analysis and concatenated (ITS-rDNA and TUB2 loci) phylogenetic analysis confirmed the pathogen identity as Neopestalotiopsis vitis. Pathogenicity tests conducted on detached leaves by inoculation with a conidial suspension of N. vitis produced typical blight symptoms after 4-5 days and progressed to cover the entire leaf lamina after 10-12 days. The pathogen's identity was confirmed after re-isolation by cultural and morphological features. Although Pestalotiopsis clavispora and Pestalotiopsis versicolor causing diseases on sapota seedlings and trees have been reported, no reports are available for the occurrence of N. vitis to sapota from India. This is the first report of N. vitis associated with leaf blight disease of sapota from India.

First report of root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus oleae from pistachio in Iran.

Pistachio, Pistacia vera is one of the most important cash crops in Iran that is scattered in arid and semi-arid regions. During a survey of plant-parasitic nematodes of pistachio in Ardakan city in Yazd Province, a species of root-lesion nematode was isolated and identified by morphological, morphometrical, and molecular methods as Pratylenchus oleae Palomares-Rius et al., 2014. This species was isolated from several pistachio trees rhizosphere regarding to molecular analysis, D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA was amplified by PCR and sequenced. The sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. MW338666). Along with the related phylogenetic analysis, placed this species in a monophyletic clade with other Pratylenchus oleae isolates, based on Bayesian inference (BI) phylogeny. A PCR reaction with the P. oleae specific primer set produced a 547 bp fragment. This is the first report of P. oleae infecting Pistachio tree in the world.

Current status of Phytophthora in Australia.

Among the most economically relevant and environmentally devastating diseases globally are those caused by Phytophthora species. In Australia, production losses in agriculture and forestry result from several well-known cosmopolitan Phytophthora species and infestation of natural ecosystems by Phytophthora cinnamomi have caused irretrievable loss to biodiversity especially in proteaceous dominated heathlands. For this review, all available records of Phytophthora in Australia were collated and curated, resulting in a database of 7 869 records, of which 2 957 have associated molecular data. Australian databases hold records for 99 species, of which 20 are undescribed. Eight species have no records linked to molecular data, and their presence in Australia is considered doubtful. The 99 species reside in 10 of the 12 clades recognised within the complete phylogeny of Phytophthora. The review includes discussion on each of these species' status and additional information provided for another 29 species of concern. The first species reported in Australia in 1900 was Phytophthora infestans. By 2000, 27 species were known, predominantly from agriculture. The significant increase in species reported in the subsequent 20 years has coincided with extensive surveys in natural ecosystems coupled with molecular taxonomy and the recognition of numerous new phylogenetically distinct but morphologically similar species. Routine and targeted surveys within Australian natural ecosystems have resulted in the description of 27 species since 2009. Due to the new species descriptions over the last 20 years, many older records have been reclassified based on molecular identification. The distribution of records is skewed toward regions with considerable activity in high productivity agriculture, horticulture and forestry, and native vegetation at risk from P. cinnamomi. Native and exotic hosts of different Phytophthora species are found throughout the phylogeny; however, species from clades 1, 7 and 8 are more likely to be associated with exotic hosts. One of the most difficult challenges to overcome when establishing a pest status is a lack of reliable data on the current state of a species in any given country or location. The database compiled here for Australia and the information provided for each species overcomes this challenge. This review will aid federal and state governments in risk assessments and trade negotiations by providing a comprehensive resource on the current status of Phytophthora species in Australia. Citation: Burgess TI, Edwards J, Drenth A, et al. 2021. Current status of Phytophthora in Australia. Persoonia 47: 151-177. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.05.

Current status of Phytophthora in Australia.

Among the most economically relevant and environmentally devastating diseases globally are those caused by Phytophthora species. In Australia, production losses in agriculture and forestry result from several well-known cosmopolitan Phytophthora species and infestation of natural ecosystems by Phytophthora cinnamomi have caused irretrievable loss to biodiversity especially in proteaceous dominated heathlands. For this review, all available records of Phytophthora in Australia were collated and curated, resulting in a database of 7 869 records, of which 2 957 have associated molecular data. Australian databases hold records for 99 species, of which 20 are undescribed. Eight species have no records linked to molecular data, and their presence in Australia is considered doubtful. The 99 species reside in 10 of the 12 clades recognised within the complete phylogeny of Phytophthora. The review includes discussion on each of these species' status and additional information provided for another 29 species of concern. The first species reported in Australia in 1900 was Phytophthora infestans. By 2000, 27 species were known, predominantly from agriculture. The significant increase in species reported in the subsequent 20 years has coincided with extensive surveys in natural ecosystems coupled with molecular taxonomy and the recognition of numerous new phylogenetically distinct but morphologically similar species. Routine and targeted surveys within Australian natural ecosystems have resulted in the description of 27 species since 2009. Due to the new species descriptions over the last 20 years, many older records have been reclassified based on molecular identification. The distribution of records is skewed toward regions with considerable activity in high productivity agriculture, horticulture and forestry, and native vegetation at risk from P. cinnamomi. Native and exotic hosts of different Phytophthora species are found throughout the phylogeny; however, species from clades 1, 7 and 8 are more likely to be associated with exotic hosts. One of the most difficult challenges to overcome when establishing a pest status is a lack of reliable data on the current state of a species in any given country or location. The database compiled here for Australia and the information provided for each species overcomes this challenge. This review will aid federal and state governments in risk assessments and trade negotiations by providing a comprehensive resource on the current status of Phytophthora species in Australia. Citation: Burgess TI, Edwards J, Drenth A, et al. 2021. Current status of Phytophthora in Australia. Persoonia 47: 151-177. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.05.

Lobophora (Dictyotales) Species Richness, Ecology and Biogeography Across the North-Eastern Atlantic Archipelagos and Description of Two New Species1.

The brown alga Lobophora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) is an important macroalga in the North-eastern Atlantic archipelagos (i.e., Macaronesia). Notably in the Canaries it can dominate benthic assemblages. While the genus has been the subject of several ecological studies in the Canaries, no study has yet been conducted to assess species-level diversity of Lobophora in Macaronesia. We reassessed the diversity of Lobophora in Macaronesia, reporting the presence of seven species (L. caboverdeana sp. nov., L. canariensis, L. dagamae sp. nov., L. delicata, L. dispersa, L. littlerorum, and L. schneideri). Lobophora spp. from Macaronesia are morphologically and ecologically distinguishable. In the Canaries, L. schneideri dominates the photophilic assemblages from the intertidal to 20-30 m depth. Lobophora dagamae sp. nov. grows in less illuminated shallow habitats, and replaces L. schneideri from 30 to ~80 m. Lobophora canariensis also has a wide vertical distribution, from the intertidal to deep waters, while L. delicata, L. dispersa and L. littlerorum grow in shallow waters. The dominance of species with an upright habit versus prostrate or crustose species may be mediated by the pressure of herbivores. Four species have an amphi-Atlantic distribution: L. littlerorum, L. canariensis, L. delicata, and L. schneideri. Lobophora schneideri and L. delicata are furthermore distributed in the Mediterranean Sea. By sampling a pivotal region in the Atlantic, this study significantly improves our knowledge of Lobophora biogeography in the Atlantic Ocean. Macaronesia constitutes a species-poor region for Lobophora where no diversification events occurred, and a region of overlap between the Greater Caribbean and the Indo-Pacific.

Diversity, Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of the Prevalent Brown Algal Genus Lobophora in the Greater Caribbean Sea, Including the Description of Five New Species1.

Distributed in tropical and warm-temperate waters worldwide, Lobophora species are found across the Greater Caribbean (i.e., Caribbean sensu stricto, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda). We presently discuss the diversity, ecology, biogeography, and evolution of the Greater Caribbean Lobophora species based on previous studies and an extensive number of samples collected across the eastern, southern, and to a lesser extent western Caribbean. A total of 18 Lobophora species are now documented from the Greater Caribbean, of which five are newly described (L. agardhii sp. nov., L. dickiei sp. nov., L. lamourouxii sp. nov., L. richardii sp. nov., and L. setchellii sp. nov.). Within the Greater Caribbean, the eastern Caribbean and the Central Province are the most diverse ecoregion and province (16 spp.), respectively. Observed distribution patterns indicate that Lobophora species from the Greater Caribbean have climate affinities (i.e., warm-temperate vs. tropical affinities). In total, 11 Lobophora species exclusively occur in the Greater Caribbean; six are present in the western Atlantic; two in the Indo-Pacific; and one in the eastern Pacific. Biogeographic analyses support that no speciation occurred across the Isthmus of Panama, and that the Greater Caribbean acted as a recipient region for species from the Indo-Pacific and as a region of diversification as well as a donor region to the North-eastern Atlantic. The Greater Caribbean is not an evolutionary dead end for Lobophora, but instead generates and exports diversity. Present results illustrate how sampling based on DNA identification is reshaping biogeographic patterns, as we know them.

Mollisiaceae: An overlooked lineage of diverse endophytes.

Mollisia is a taxonomically neglected discomycete genus (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes) of commonly encountered saprotrophs on decaying plant tissues throughout temperate regions. The combination of indistinct morphological characters, more than 700 names in the literature, and lack of reference DNA sequences presents a major challenge when working with Mollisia. Unidentified endophytes, including strains that produced antifungal or antiinsectan secondary metabolites, were isolated from conifer needles in New Brunswick and placed with uncertainty in Phialocephala and Mollisia, necessitating a more comprehensive treatment of these genera. In this study, morphology and multigene phylogenetic analyses were used to explore the taxonomy of Mollisiaceae, including Mollisia, Phialocephala, and related genera, using new field collections, herbarium specimens, and accessioned cultures and sequences. The phylogeny of Mollisiaceae was reconstructed and compared using the nuc internal transcribed spacer rDNA (ITS) barcode and partial sequences of the 28S nuc rDNA (LSU) gene, largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), DNA topoisomerase I (TOP1), and the hypothetical protein Lipin/Ned1/Smp2 (LNS2). The results show that endophytism is common throughout the Mollisiaceae lineage in a diverse range of hosts but is infrequently attributed to Mollisia because of a paucity of reference sequences. Generic boundaries within Mollisiaceae are poorly resolved and based on phylogenetic evidence the family included species placed in Acephala, Acidomelania, Barrenia, Bispora, Cheirospora, Cystodendron, Fuscosclera, Hysteronaevia, Loramyces, Mollisia, Neopyrenopeziza, Obtectodiscus, Ombrophila, Patellariopsis, Phialocephala, Pulvinata, Tapesia (=Mollisia), and Trimmatostroma. Taxonomic novelties included the description of five novel Mollisia species and five novel Phialocephala species and the synonymy of Fuscosclera with Phialocephala, Acidomelania with Mollisia, and Loramycetaceae with Mollisiaceae.

Species diversity and molecular insights into phlebotomine sand flies in Sardinia (Italy)-an endemic region for leishmaniasis.

This study provides updated information on the distribution of the phlebotomine sand fly species and their genetic characterization in Sardinia, a Mediterranean island where leishmaniasis is endemic. From April to November 2017, sand flies were trapped in five different capture sites using sticky traps and light traps as collection methods, operated nearby sheep, poultry, cat, and dog shelters. Phlebotomine specimens (n = 513) collected were morphologically and molecularly identified as Phlebotomus perniciosus (249/513, 48.5%), Phlebotomus perfiliewi (236/513; 46%), and Sergentomyia minuta (28/513, 5.5%). Sand flies were collected from the second half of May to October confirming the well-defined seasonal activity, which peaks in August in Sardinia. Overall, correlation analyses indicated a significant positive association between the monthly number of sand flies collected and the mean temperature (r = 0.88, rho = 0.87, and tau = 0.69, P < 0.05), while there was non-significant, moderately negative correlation between the monthly number of sand flies collected and the monthly mean relative humidity and wind (r = - 0.22, rho = 0.02, and tau = 0.04, P > 0.05). This study provides the first data on the molecular characterization of phlebotomine sand flies in this region and confirms the presence of three sand fly species. Molecular results suggest that the morphological features used for analysis represent synapomorphic-derived characters which are shared among descendant taxa and the common ancestor.

Comparative analysis of monozoic fish tapeworms Caryophyllaeus laticeps (Pallas, 1781) and recently described Caryophyllaeus chondrostomi Barcák, Oros, Hanzelová, Scholz, 2017, using microsatellite markers.

The monozoic tapeworm Caryophyllaeus laticeps has been characterized by five markedly different morphotypes largely corresponding to different fish hosts. Recently, the most distinct morphotype 4 from the common nase Chondrostoma nasus was studied in more details resulting in description of a new species Caryophyllaeus chondrostomi. The molecular study based on mitochondrial cox1 and ribosomal lsrDNA did not reveal any interspecific differences between C. laticeps and C. chondrostomi and did not provide any molecular support for recognition of these two species. In the current study, six polymorphic microsatellite markers were applied in order to detect molecular differences between the two species and to provide molecular evidence of validity of C. chondrostomi. While all six microsatellite loci were amplified in different geographic populations of C. laticeps, only two of them provided the amplification product in C. chondrostomi. Results on the Bayesian analysis assigned C. chondrostomi and all geographic populations of C. laticeps to distinct clusters. Neither any close relationships among C. laticeps populations nor specific position of C. chondrostomi were revealed. Contrary, the results of the principal coordinate analysis revealed striking genetic separation of C. chondrostomi with no overlaps with any of the C. laticeps population or morphotype. Caryophyllaeus chondrostomi very probably underwent morphological divergence as a result of ongoing speciation, but this process has not yet been accompanied by sufficient genetic divergence. In this particular case, microsatellites were proved to be better molecular discriminative markers than rDNA and mtDNA.