Complete mitochondrial genome of Lelecella limenitoides (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Apaturinae) and phylogenetic implication.

The length of Lelecella limenitoides complete mitogenome was 15,203 bp and contained the typical gene arrangement, base composition, and codon usage found in other related species. The overall base composition exhibited obvious anti-G (7.5%) and AT bias (81.6%). The initiation codons of all PCGs were typical ATN (ATA/ATG/ATT), and the termination codons were TAA, TAG, or incomplete stop codon T-. All tRNAs could be folded into typical cloverleaf secondary structures, except tRNASer (AGN). Phylogenetic analysis showed that L. limenitoides was clustered with the clade of Sasakia, Euripus, and Apatura.

Characterization of the mitochondrial genome of Alloxiphidiopsis emarginata (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Meconematinae).

The length of Alloxiphidiopsis emarginata complete mitogenome was 16,207 bp and contained the typical gene arrangement, base composition, codon usage found in other related species. The overall base composition exhibited obvious anti-G (10.6%) and AT bias (71.6%). The initiation codons of all PCGs were typical ATN (ATA/ATG/ATT), and the termination codons were TAA, TAG, or incomplete stop codon T. All tRNAs could be folded into typical cloverleaf secondary structures, except tRNASer (AGN). Phylogenetic analyses showed that A. emarginata was closer with Xizicus howardi.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Echinocodon Lobophyllus (Campanulaceae) revealed by next-generation sequencing and phylogenetic implication.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Echinocodon lobophyllus was determined by Illumina pair-end sequencing. The results showed that the complete plastid genome was 169,419 bp in length, containing a large single copy (LSC) of 85,599 bp and a small single copy (SSC) of 8054 bp, which were separated by a pair of 37,883 bp inverted repeats (IRs). A total of 109 unique genes were annotated, including 75 protein coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Among these genes, 16 genes contained one or two introns. The overall GC contents of the plastid genome were 38.4%. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that E. lobophyllus and Codonopsis minima formed one clade at the base of the phylogenetic tree of Campanulaceae with a high support value.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Fargesia qinlingensis (Poaceae): an endemic to China.

The complete chloroplast genome of Fargesia qinlingensis (Poaceae) has been reconstructed from the whole-genome Illumina sequencing data. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of F. qinlingensis obtained in this study was 139,640 bp in length, with a large single copy (LSC) region of 83,220 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 12,826 bp, separated by two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 21,797 bp each. The GC content was 38.9%, and in the LSC, SSC, and IR regions were 37.0%, 33.2%, and 44.2%, respectively. A total of 130 genes were annotated, including 83 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 39 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The result of the phylogenetic analysis showed that F. qinlingensis was more closely related to the species of F. denudata.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Xiphidiopsis (Xiphidiopsis) gurneyi (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Meconematinae).

Xiphidiopsis (Xiphidiopsis) gurneyi belongs to Meconematinae. The complete mitochondrial genome of X. (X.) gurneyi was sequenced by the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,225 bp and contains the typical gene arrangement, base composition, codon usage found in Meconematinae species. Phylogenetic tree was constructed based on concatenated datasets of PCGs and rRNAs of X. (X.) gurneyi and 19 Tettigoniidae species to assess their phylogenic relationship. Phylogenetic analysis showed that X. (X.) gurneyi was more closely related to the genus of Xizicus.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Cremastra appendiculata (Orchidaceae) revealed by next-generation sequencing and phylogenetic implication.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Cremastra appendiculata, a rare and endangered species of China, was determined by Illumina pair-end sequencing. The results showed that the complete plastid genome was 160,494 bp in length, containing a large single copy (LSC) of 88,249 bp and a small single copy (SSC) of 21,457 bp, which were separated by a pair of 25,394 bp inverted repeats (IRs). A total of 132 unique genes were annotated, including 86 protein coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Among these genes, 18 genes contained one or two introns. The overall GC contents of the plastid genome were 36.9%, and in the IR regions, LSC and SSC were 43.8, 34.4 and 30.9%, respectively. Maximum likelihood analysis revealed that the new sequenced species C. appendiculata was closer to the species in Cattleya and formed one clade with a high bootstrap value at the middle of the phylogenetic tree of Orchidaceae.

Two new species of the genus Xizicus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) in China.

Two new species of the genus Xizicus are described, namely Xizicus (Eoxizicus) uncicercus Mao & Shi sp. nov. and Xizicus (Eoxizicus) dischidus Di, Han & Shi sp. nov. from China, in addition, photographs of morphological structure of the species are provided. All type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Hebei University, Baoding, P. R. China.

Two new species of the genus Euxiphidiopsis Gorochov, 1993 (Orthoptera: Meconematinae) from China.

The article reported two new species of the genus Euxiphidiopsis Gorochov, 1993, i.e. Euxiphidiopsis erromena Shi & Mao sp. nov., and Euxiphidiopsis damingshanensis sp. nov. The type material is deposited in the Museum of Hebei University, Baoding, P. R. China.

Review of the genus Pentacentrus Saussure (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Pentacentrinae) from China .

Four new species of Pentacentrus Gorochov from China are described and illustrated, P. acutiparamerus Liu & Shi sp. nov., P. biflexuous Liu & Shi sp. nov., P. emarginatus Liu & Shi sp. nov. and P. parvulus Liu & Shi sp. nov. A key and a distribution map of the Chinese species of this genus are provided.

Programmed cell death: a mechanism for the lysigenous formation of secretory cavities in leaves of Dictamnus dasycarpus.

The formation of secretory cavities in Rutaceae has been the subject of great interest. In this study, cytological events that are involved in the lysigenous formation of the secretory cavities in the leaves of Dictamnus dasycarpus are characterized by an interesting pattern of programmed cell death (PCD). During the developmental process, clusters of cells from a single protoepidermal cell embark on different trajectories and undergo different cell death fates: the cell walls of the secretory cells have characteristics of thinning or complete breakdown, while the sheath cells present a predominantly thick-walled feature. A DAPI assay shows deformed nuclei that are further confirmed to be TUNEL-positive. Gel electrophoresis indicates that DNA cleavage is random and does not result in ladder-like DNA fragmentation. Ultrastructurally, several remarkable features of PCD have been determined, such as misshapen nuclei with condensed chromatin and a significantly diffused membrane, degenerated mitochondria and plastids with disturbed membrane systems, multivesicular bodies, plastolysomes, vacuole disruption and lysis of the center secretory cell. Cytological evidence and Nile red stains exhibit abundant essential oils accumulated in degenerated outer secretory cells after the dissolution of the center secretory cell. In addition, explanations of taxonomic importance and the relationship between PCD and oil droplet accumulation in the secretory cavities are also discussed.