Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses revealed two new species from China and a new record from Jilin Province of Agaricales.

In this study, we have found two new species-Strophariasubrugosoannulata and Strophariamicroaeruginosa. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nrLSU), suggest that the two new species are distinct and monophyletic. S.subrugosoannulata is distinguished from other species of the genus Stropharia by the pileus covered with greyish-orange squamules in the centre, stipe light brown and surface covered with white triangular squamules. S.microaeruginosa differs from other species in its pileus bluish-grey when young becoming lighter towards margins, later greyish-turquoise lightens towards the edges and surface radially striate when young, lamellae adnate to subdecurrent, stipe with white squamules at the base, acanthocytes absent. The new record species from Jilin Province, Clitolyophyllumumbilicatum was also confirmed, based on morphological and molecular study. Here, we have given full descriptions of each species, colour images, illustrations and two phylogenetic trees that show the placement and relationship of the two new species and the new record are provided.

A new gorgonian Pseudopterogorgiananjiensis sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Gorgoniidae) from the Nanji Islands, China.

Members of the genus Pseudopterogorgia Kükenthal, 1919 are widely distributed in shallow water of the Indo-West Pacific. During an investigation of benthic biodiversity in the subtidal zone surrounding the Nanji Islands in the East China Sea, two specimens of Pseudopterogorgia were collected and described as a new species based on an integrated morphological-molecular approach. Pseudopterogorgiananjiensis sp. nov. is most similar to P.fredericki Williams & Vennam, 2001 in the irregular branching form and indistinct scaphoids, but differs by the coenenchymal sclerite content of distinct capstans and a few warty spindles and radiates (vs. mostly warty spindles and a few capstans), and a purplish colony (vs. white, pink to deep rose). Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on the mtMutS-COI gene sequences, delineated a monophyletic clade encompassing all assessed Pseudopterogorgia species. Within this clade, P.nanjiensis sp. nov. showed a close phylogenetic affinity with both P.fredericki and P.australiensis Ridley, 1884.

Four new species of Laelius Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Korea with an updated key to species in the Eastern Palaearctic region.

The genus Laelius Ashmead, 1893 (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) is a cosmopolitan bethylid genus with 68 valid species distributed across most zoogeographic regions worldwide. This taxonomic study on Korean species of Laelius has led to the description of four new species, namely L.afores sp. nov., L.atratus sp. nov., L.sulcatus sp. nov., and L.tricuspis sp. nov. Additionally, illustrations of the diagnostic characteristics of each species are provided, along with an updated key for 11 Laelius species from the Eastern Palaearctic region.

Discovery of a new soft-bodied click-beetle genus from Namibia with a unique morphology leads to a modified diagnosis of Drilini (Coleoptera, Elateridae).

Drilini are soft-bodied predatory click beetles with incompletely metamorphosed females. Approximately 150 described species are distributed in the Afrotropical, Palaearctic and Oriental realms, with the highest diversity known from sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we describe Namibdrilusalbertalleni gen. et sp. nov. from Namibia which brings the total number of genera in Drilini to 16. The discovery of this unique taxon sheds new light on the diversity and evolution of the enigmatic paedomorphic beetle lineage and is interesting for several reasons. This new species is the only known representative of Drilini that has unidentate mandibles and lacks a hook on the dorsal part of the aedeagal median lobe, two of the few characters heretofore used for the unambiguous identification of members of this group. Furthermore, based on its morphology it belongs to a group of genera (Drilus clade) which heretofore contained only taxa from the Palaearctic Realm. We provide an updated diagnosis of the tribe Drilini, as well as an updated diagnosis and an identification key for the genera of the Drilus clade based on adult males. Further, we explain how to easily recognize adult Drilini from similar-looking soft-bodied elateroids like Elateridae: Omalisinae, Rhagophthalmidae, and Lampyridae: Ototretinae.

A new four-pored Amphisbaena Linnaeus, 1758 (Amphisbaenia, Amphisbaenidae) from the north of Espinhaço Mountain Range, Brazil.

A new species of Amphisbaena is described from the north of Espinhaço Mountain Range, municipality of Caetité, state of Bahia, Brazil. Amphisbaenaamethysta sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) snout convex in profile, slightly compressed not keeled; (2) pectoral scales arranged in regular annuli; (3) four precloacal pores; (4) distinct cephalic shields; (5) 185-199 dorsal half-annuli; (6) 13-16 caudal annuli; (7) conspicuous autotomic site between 4th-6th caudal annuli; (8) 16-21 dorsal and ventral segments at midbody; (9) 3/3 supralabials; (10) 3/3 infralabials; and (11) smooth and rounded tail tip. The new species is the 71st species of genus with four precloacal pores, and the 22nd species from the Caatinga morphoclimatic domain. The identification of Amphisbaenaamethysta sp. nov. indicates that the reptile fossorial fauna in the Espinhaço Mountain Range region is far from being completely known and that it may harbour a much greater diversity of endemic taxa.

Genome and pan-genome analysis of a new exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium Pyschrobacillus sp. isolated from iron ores deposit and insights into iron uptake.

Bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) have emerged as one of the key players in the field of heavy metal-contaminated environmental bioremediation. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the metal biosorption potential of EPS produced by a novel Psychrobacillus strain, NEAU-3TGS, isolated from an iron ore deposit at Tamra iron mine, northern Tunisia. Genomic and pan-genomic analysis of NEAU-3TGS bacterium with nine validated published Psychrobacillus species was also performed. The results showed that the NEAU-3TGS genome (4.48 Mb) had a mean GC content of 36%, 4,243 coding sequences and 14 RNA genes. Phylogenomic analysis and calculation of nucleotide identity (ANI) values (less than 95% for new species with all strains) confirmed that NEAU-3TGS represents a potential new species. Pangenomic analysis revealed that Psychrobacillus genomic diversity represents an "open" pangenome model with 33,091 homologous genes, including 65 core, 3,738 shell, and 29,288 cloud genes. Structural EPS characterization by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy showed uronic acid and α-1,4-glycosidic bonds as dominant components of the EPS. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the presence of chitin, chitosan, and calcite CaCO3 and confirmed the amorphous nature of the EPS. Heavy metal bioabsorption assessment showed that iron and lead were more adsorbed than copper and cadmium. Notably, the optimum activity was observed at 37°C, pH=7 and after 3 h contact of EPS with each metal. Genomic insights on iron acquisition and metabolism in Psychrobacillus sp. NEAU-3TGS suggested that no genes involved in siderophore biosynthesis were found, and only the gene cluster FeuABCD and trilactone hydrolase genes involved in the uptake of siderophores, iron transporter and exporter are present. Molecular modelling and docking of FeuA (protein peptidoglycan siderophore-binding protein) and siderophores ferrienterobactine [Fe+3 (ENT)]-3 and ferribacillibactine [Fe+3 (BB)]-3 ligand revealed that [Fe+3 (ENT)]-3 binds to Phe122, Lys127, Ile100, Gln314, Arg215, Arg217, and Gln252. Almost the same for [Fe+3 (ENT)]-3 in addition to Cys222 and Tyr229, but not Ile100.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the characterization of EPS and the adsorption of heavy metals by Psychrobacillus species. The heavy metal removal capabilities may be advantageous for using these organisms in metal remediation.

Two new species of Fusarium in the F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex from Oryza sativa in Iran.

Identification of Fusarium species associated with diseases symptoms in plants is an important step toward understanding the ecology of plant-fungus associations. In this study, four Fusarium isolates were obtained from root rot of Oryza sativa L. in Izeh (southwest of Iran) and identified based on phylogenetic analyses combined with morphology. Phylogenetic analyses based on combined translation elongation factor 1-α, calmodulin, RNA polymerase II second largest subunit, and Beta-tubulin (tub2) sequence data delimited two new species, namely F. khuzestanicum and F. oryzicola spp. nov., from previously known species of Fusarium within F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC). Morphologically, F. khuzestanicum produces the macroconidia with distinctly notched to foot-shaped basal cells, while basal cells in the macroconidia of F. oryzicola are more extended and distinctly elongated foot shape. Furthermore, these two new species are distinguished by the size of their sporodochial phialides and macroconidia. The results of the present show that the FIESC species complex represent more cryptic species.

Four new earthworm species of the genera Amynthas and Metaphire (Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) from Hunan and Anhui provinces, China.

This paper describes four new species earthworms from Hunan and Anhui provinces, China, Amynthasxiangtanensis Qiu & Jin, sp. nov., Amynthastaoyuanensis Qiu & Jin, sp. nov., Amynthasxuanchengensis Jin & Li, sp. nov. and Metaphiredonganensis Jin & Jiang, sp. nov. Amynthasxiangtanensis sp. nov., and A.taoyuanensis sp. nov. belong to the Amynthascorticis group. Both have four pairs of intersegmental spermathecal pores in 5/6-8/9; male pores in segment XVIII, separated by 1/3 of body circumference, each on top of a slightly raised porophore, surrounded by several tiny genital papillae. Amynthastaoyuanensis sp. nov. prostate glands are degenerated. Amynthasxuanchengensis sp. nov. belongs to the Amynthasmorrisi group, it has two pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6 and 6/7; male pores in XVIII, separated by 1/3 of body circumference, each on top of a slightly raised, circular porophore. Metaphiredonganensis sp. nov. belongs to the Metaphirehoulleti group. It has three pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7-8/9; male pores in XVIII, separated by 1/3 of body circumference, each on the bottom center of the longitudinal copulatory chamber.

Neoerysiphe leontopodii sp. nov., a new powdery mildew from China.

A powdery mildew was found on Leontopodium leontopodioides (Asteraceae) in China. Phylogenetic analyses using a combination of internal transcribed spacer and 28S rDNA sequences showed that this species, which clusters as sister to Neoerysiphe joerstadii, is allied to N. galii, N. geranii, and N. nevoi. This species differs from the closely allied N. joerstadii in the number and size of asci (3-10 asci, 55-75 × 20-40 µm versus 16-32 asci, 40-60 × 20-30 µm). This species is morphologically very similar to N. gnaphalii, but clearly differs from this species in having larger chasmothecia and colorless appendages. Therefore, the powdery mildew on L. leontopodioides is described as N. leontopodii sp. nov.

Two new species of Metacampanella (Agaricales, Marasmiaceae) from China and Mongolia.

Metacampanella is an important genus in the Marasmiaceae family. We collected specimens during our investigations in China and Mongolia. Through morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses, we identified two new species of this genus: Metacampanellasubtricolor and Metacampanellacoprophila. In addition, we identified Metacampanellatricolor as a novel combination. Molecular systematic studies support these results. Illustrated descriptions, taxonomic discussions, and keys to the genus are provided.

Planothidiumpseudolinkei sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta), a new marine monoraphid diatom species from the coast of Guangxi, China.

A new marine monoraphid diatom species, Planothidiumpseudolinkei sp. nov., is described from the coast of Guangxi, China. The detailed morphology of this epipsammic diatom is studied by using both light and scanning electron microscopy. P.pseudolinkei differs from congeners by a combination of morphological features including capitate apices, multiseriate striae, a small central area on the raphe valve and an oblong sinus on the rapheless valve. Ecological preferences of Planothidium are also briefly discussed.

A new infrageneric classification of Gastrochilus (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) based on molecular and morphological data.

Gastrochilus is an orchid genus containing 73 species of mainly epiphytic on trees or rocks in mountain forests of tropical and subtropical Asia. Previous phylogenetic analyses and morphological assessments have failed to produce a well-resolved phylogeny at the infrageneric level. In the present study, a new infrageneric classification of Gastrochilus is proposed based on thoroughly morphological and phylogenetic analyses based on 52 species. Our phylogenetic analysis divided the genus into six sections including three new sections, G. sect. Pseudodistichi, G. sect. Brachycaules and G. sect. Acinacifolii. We also reinstate G. suavis to the specific rank. Furthermore, two new species, G. armeniacus Jun Y. Zhang, B. Xu & Yue H. Cheng and G. minjiangensis Jun Y. Zhang, B. Xu & Yue H. Cheng, are described and illustrated. A key to six sections of the genus is presented.

Further notes on the genus Eurhaphidophora Gorochov, 1999 (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) with description of a new species from China.

This paper revises the genus Eurhaphidophora from China and describes a new species, i.e., Eurhaphidophoradulongjiangensis Zhu & Shi, sp. nov. The females of Eurhaphidophoratarasovidoitungensis Dawwrueng, Gorochov & Suwannapoom, 2020 and Eurhaphidophorafossa Lu, Huang & Bian, 2022 are described for the first time. Moreover, Eurhaphidophoracurvata Lu, Huang & Bian, 2022, syn. nov. is considered as a new synonym of Eurhaphidophorapawangkhananti Dawwrueng, Gorochov & Suwannapoom, 2020. Images illustrating the morphology of these species are provided.

Non-indigenous species of Bryozoa from anthropogenic habitats in the Bay of Cádiz (South Iberian Peninsula).

Samples of bryozoans collected from two localities in the Bay of Cádiz with different levels of anthropogenic impact are studied. A total of 25 species was identified, of which 8 are considered non-indigenous (NIS), 12 as native and 5 cryptogenic. A new species of Hippopodina, Hippopodina similis sp. nov., is here described, and corrections to the diagnosis of the genus are proposed. The species appears to be a recent immigrant in Cádiz, although it could also be present in the eastern Mediterranean. Aeverrilla setigera and the genus Hippopodina itself are recorded for the first time in the eastern Atlantic. Anguinella palmata is recorded for the first time in Spanish waters. Amathia vidovici was already recorded in the Iberian Peninsula, but previous records should be confirmed. Other species, such as Amathia verticillata, Biflustra tenuis, Watersipora subatra and Schizoporella errata, were already recorded in the Bay of Cádiz very recently.

A new southern Atlantic cryptic marine shrimp species of Acetes (Decapoda, Sergestidae).

A recently published molecular phylogenetic analysis, focusing on selected Western Atlantic subspecies of Acetesamericanus Ortmann, 1893 and allies, was inconclusive about relationships among these members. This previous study found three groups that split into two distinct lineages: Acetesamericanus (Brazil 1) (= A.americanus sensu stricto) and Acetesamericanus (Brazil 2) + A.americanus (USA). Combined morphometry and molecular analyses applied to members of the group Acetesamericanus (Brazil 2) revealed a new unidentified species genetically related to the A.americanus representatives. However, at that time, no conclusive morphological characters were found to identify it. In the present study, following an in-depth morphological analysis of specimens from the three groups, including data on the type series and consideration of the subtle distinctions of members of each lineage, morphological features of the reproductive structures (petasma and genital sternite) were found to characterize the new species, which is formally described and named herein.

 Stromatolinea, a new diatrypaceous fungal genus (Ascomycota, Sordariomycetes, Xylariales, Diatrypaceae) from China.

Molecular phylogeny and morphological characteristics of collections of diatrypaceous fungi from Guizhou Province, China, lead to the establishment of a new genus, Stromatolinea, and the identification of four new species and two new combinations. The taxa were found growing on the dead culms of Phyllostachys bamboo. The new genus is distinguished by its well-developed, discrete linear stromata with yellow interior tissue and allantoid subhyaline ascospores. The newly described species are Stromatolineagrisea, S.guizhouensis, S.hydei, and S.xishuiensis. Additionally, two new combinations, Stromatolinealinearis and S.phaselina, are proposed based on comparative analysis and morphology. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using ITS and TUB2 sequences. The study includes comprehensive morphological descriptions, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree depicting the placement of the new taxa.

Exploring the biogeography, morphology, and phylogeny of the condylostomatid ciliates (Alveolata, Ciliophora, Heterotrichea), with establishment of four new Condylostoma species and a revision including redescriptions of five species found in China.

Species of the ciliate class Heterotrichea Stein, 1859 are a cosmopolitan group of unicellular eukaryotic microorganisms, many of which have been widely used as models in various fields of research such as regenerative biology, functional ecology, environmental toxicology, and symbiotic behavior. However, species identification in the heterotrich family Condylostomatidae, especially the most species-rich and type genus Condylostoma Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1824, remains challenging due to incomplete original descriptions, few reliable distinguishing characters, and overlapping features between different species. This study presents an updated revision of Condylostoma and its related genus Condylostomides da Silva Neto, 1994 based on descriptions of five species, including nine populations collected from China, using both morphological and molecular methods. The main findings are as follows: (1) 43 nominal species and about 130 populations are reviewed, resulting in the recognition of 30 valid species of Condylostoma and eight valid species of Condylostomides; (2) keys, synonyms, biogeographic distributions and amended/improved diagnoses of all valid species are provided; (3) based on the available data, four new Condylostoma species (C. marinum sp. nov., C. petzi sp. nov., C. villeneuvei sp. nov., and C. microstomum sp. nov.), one new combination (Condylostomides minimus (Dragesco, 1954) comb. nov. & nom. corr.), and two corrected names (Condylostoma ancestrale Villeneuve-Brachon, 1940 nom. corr. and Condylostomides nigrus (Dragesco, 1960) nom. corr.) are suggested; (4) cryptic species are detected and proposed for the first time to form the Condylostoma curvum species complex; (5) three highly confusing Condylostoma species, C. kris, C. spatiosum, and C. minutum, are redefined for the first time based on modern taxonomic methods; (6) a 'flagship' species, Condylostomides coeruleus, is recorded for the first time from the continent of Asia, substantially expanding its biogeography; (7) ciliature adjacent to the distal end of the paroral membrane within the family Condylostomatidae is uniformly defined as frontal membranelles and is classified into three patterns according to the arrangement of kinetosomes, which serve as important key features. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-024-00223-3.

Unveiling fungi associated with Castanopsis woody litter in Yunnan Province, China: Insights into Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes) species.

During a survey of the diversity of lignicolous fungi in Yunnan Province, China, we collected and identified five microfungi species from dead woody litters of Castanopsis trees in terrestrial habitats. Through both morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses of multi-gene sequences, we identified two taxa as new species and three collections as new host records within Pleosporales. Pseudolophiostomalincangense sp. nov. is introduced as a sexual morph in Lophiostomataceae, Pleopunctumbaoshanense sp. nov. is introduced as a hyphomycetous fungi in Phaeoseptaceae, and Paraphomaaquatica as a first report of sexual morph in Paraphoma. In addition, Occultibambusakunmingensis and Pleopunctummegalosporum were isolated for the first time from the dead twigs of Castanopsisdelavayi and C.calathiformis, respectively. Comprehensive morphological descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results are provided for the above-mentioned species.

Taxonomic Additions to the Neotropical Subgenus Camponotus (Myrmobrachys) Forel 1912 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with Emphasis on the dimorphus-Group.

We provide updated diagnoses for the senex-, burtoni- and dimorphus-groups of Camponotus (Myrmobrachys). Dichotomous keys for the C. (Myrmobrachys) groups and species of the dimorphus-group, based on type-specimens are provided. Two new species of the dimorphus-group are described, Camponotus cameloides sp. nov. and Camponotus hyalus sp. nov. We classified C. dolabratus and C. lancifer as members of the dimorphus-group and C. crassicornis, C. subcircularis, and C. championi as members of the senex-group. Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to describe the branched pilosity of C. cameloides and this is the first description of it for adult workers of Camponotini tribe.

Three new taxa of the lichen genus Lobothallia (Megasporaceae, Ascomycota) from China.

Two new species; Lobothalliacrenulata Lun Wang & Y. Y. Zhang, L.lobulata Lun Wang & Y. Y. Zhang and one new variety; L.subdiffractavar.rimosa Lun Wang & Y. Y. Zhang, are reported from China and described, based on morphological, chemical and molecular characters. Phylogenetic analyses showed that these new taxa form monophyletic groups. Lobothalliacrenulata and L.lobulata, together with L.hydrocharis, L.radiosa and L.recedens, form a well-supported clade, whereas L.subdiffractavar.rimosa is nested within the samples of L.subdiffracta. Lobothalliacrenulata is characterised by its placodioid thallus, thickly pruinose upper surface with a rimose appearance, aspicilioid to lecanorine apothecia with a crenate thalline margin and concave, black and pruinose discs. Lobothallialobulata is characterised by its placodioid thallus, pruinose upper surface with lobules, aspicilioid when immature, lecanorine to zeorine apothecia at maturity and concave to plane, dark brown, shiny and epruinose discs. Lobothalliasubdiffractavar.rimosa is characterised by its areolate thallus, rimose and pruinose upper surface, lecanorine apothecia and slightly concave to plane, black and pruinose discs. Secondary metabolites were not detected in the two new species nor the new variety. A key is provided for the species of Lobothallia in China.