Tropical component of the moss Flora of China

In many ways, it is presumptuous for me to speak on the mosses of the tropical regions of China. Many consider the knowledge about the taxonomy, ecology, and geography of tropical bryophytes inadequate (Pócs 1982; Schuster 1983; Richards 1984), and this is certainly the case for the bryophytes of the tropical regions of China. The taxonomy of Chinese taxa is generally in a state of disarray. Early workers, both Chinese and others, have tended to describe new species based upon minor or inconsequential morphological characters and without apparent reference to related taxa found outside of China. This is clear from recent monographic studies that compared Chinese taxa with taxa throughout the world

Analysis of Pb, Cu, and Zn Concentrations in Sea Water and Snails Cerithidea Montagnei From Desa Gemuruh Coastal Waters of Kundur Island, Karimun Regency Riau Islands Province

The aim of this research was to find out the relationship between metals Pb, Cu, Zn concentration in sea water and in snail C. montagnei, to determine the pollution level of Desa Gemuruh coastal waters of Kundur Island, as well as to evaluate the safety level of the snail for human consumption. The research was conducted in February – March 2017 by collecting samples from three different stations from Desa Gemuruh coastal waters. Metal concentration analysis was done in Marine Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences University of Riau. The results showed that the average Pb, Cu, Zn concentrations in sea waters were 0,0408 mg/L; 0,0438 mg/L; and 0,1424 mg/L, while in snails were 1,0315 μg/g ; 0,9261 μg/g ; 54,1507 μg/g respectively for Pb, Cu, and Zn. The linear regression showed that the raising of Pb and Zn concentration in sea waters, were followed by increasing metal concentrations in snails, but Cu concentration in sea waters were not followed by its increasing concentrations in snails. The larger the body size of the snail the higher metals were accumulated by the snail. This study also showed that MPI values obtain from Desa Gemuruh coastal waters of Kundur Island 3,7260 were classified as lower than other research locations. Snails from this coastal waters are still considered to be safe to be consumed by human with safety level were 6,7864 Kg per week for Pb, 1079,7840 Kg per week for Cu, and 36,1953 Kg per week for Zn

The chemistry of Pseudocyphellaria impressa S. Lat. in New Zealand

As part of a detailed study of the nomenclature and taxonomy of the New Zealand species of Pseudocyphellaria it has been noted that the chemistry of the P. impressa (Hook & Taylor) Vainio aggregate, that is species with a markedly faveolate (honeycomb- like) upper surface and a green algal phycobiont, is particularly complex. The 45 lichen substances detected fall into four distinct groupings, here designated as 'Codings'. The aim of this contribution is to investigate suitable methods for revealing this chemical assemblage by t.l.c. and, as far as is currently possible, to identify the range of substances. No conscious attempt is made to assign the four chemical Codings to particular taxa or species groupings; the taxonomy of the group will be discussed elsewhere. The four Codings proved to be remarkably uniform and constant considering the range and number of substances involved; such variation that occurred was only in the presence and concentration of accessory substances. Although this work only concerns New Zealand material, similar patterns occur in related taxa of the group present in southern South America, south-east Australia and Tasmania

A bryophyte checklist of the ecological reserve of Gurjaú, Pernambuco, Brazil

A bryophyte checklist of the Ecological Reserve of Gurjaú (08º10’00'’-08º15’00"S; 35º02’30"- 35º05’00"W), a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in the State of Pernambuco, has been compiled. The Reserve covers an area of approximately 1362 ha, including several forest fragments of diverse sizes and stages of conservation. Specimens collected during the years 2000 and 2001, and voucher specimens from the UFP Herbarium at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) were analyzed. Bryophytes were collected on live and dead trunks, rocks, leaves and soil. The studied bryoflora is composed of 53 species of liverworts, 37 species of mosses and one hornwort. Among the twenty-three registered families, Lejeuneaceae (41 spp.) was the most representative one with the highest generic and specific richness, which confirms its status as predominant in tropical rain forests. Fissidens (7 spp.), Lejeunea and Cheilolejeunea (6 spp.), and Calymperes (4 spp.) were the most representative genera. The studied bryoflora is predominantly composed of species of neotropical distribution, widely spread throughout Brazil. The presence of an endemic species of the Atlantic Forest, Vitalianthus bichlerianus (Pôrto & Grolle) Schust. & Giancotti, and some other exclusively Brazilian species, e.g., Riccardia regnellii (Ängstr.) Hell have been recorded from the site

Strigolactone biosynthesis is evolutionarily conserved, regulated by phosphate starvation and contributes to resistance against phytopathogenic fungi in a moss, Physcomitrella patens

In seed plants, strigolactones (SLs) regulate architecture and induce mycorrhizal symbiosis in response to environmental cues. SLs are formed by combined activity of the carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) 7 and 8 from 9-cis-β-carotene, leading to carlactone that is converted by cytochromes P450 (clade 711; MAX1 in Arabidopsis) into various SLs. As Physcomitrella patens possesses CCD7 and CCD8 homologs but lacks MAX1, we investigated if PpCCD7 together with PpCCD8 form carlactone and how deletion of these enzymes influences growth and interactions with the environment. We investigated the enzymatic activity of PpCCD7 and PpCCD8 in vitro, identified the formed products by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and LC-MS, and generated and analysed ΔCCD7 and ΔCCD8 mutants. We defined enzymatic activity of PpCCD7 as a stereospecific 9-cis-CCD and PpCCD8 as a carlactone synthase. ΔCCD7 and ΔCCD8 lines showed enhanced caulonema growth, which was revertible by adding the SL analogue GR24 or carlactone. Wild-type (WT) exudates induced seed germination in Orobanche ramosa. This activity was increased upon phosphate starvation and abolished in exudates of both mutants. Furthermore, both mutants showed increased susceptibility to phytopathogenic fungi. Our study reveals the deep evolutionary conservation of SL biosynthesis, SL function, and its regulation by biotic and abiotic cues.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft AL892/1-4Academy of Finland 125312

Morphological re-assessment of the Boodlea composita-Phyllodictyon anastomosans species complex (Siphonocladales: Chlorophyta)

Boodlea composita ( Harvey) F. Brand and Phyllodictyon anastomosans ( Harvey) Kraft & M. J. Wynne, two widespread tropical siphonocladalean green algae, have had a long and confusing history because of the vague taxonomic boundaries between the two species. Molecular phylogenetic studies on the basis of nuclear- encoded rDNA sequences have resolved these indistinct species boundaries and suggest these taxa are part of a species complex. Detailed morphological investigations in combination with field and culture observations show that the concept of traditionally recognised taxa in this species complex is clouded by an ecologically induced phenotypic plasticity and developmental variability. Examination of a large number of specimens of B. composita, P. anastomosans and morphologically allied taxa including Boodlea siamensis Reinbold, Boodlea montagnei ( Harvey ex J. E. Gray) Egerod, Nereodictyon imitans Gerloff and Struveopsis siamensis ( Egerod) P. C. Silva, worldwide, including types, shows a wide morphological variety. We recognise seven more or less distinct morphological entities based on differences in thallus architectures, branching systems, cell dimensions and tenacular cell types. Awaiting the recovery of the true nature of the defined entities in this species complex ( different species or growth forms of the same species), they are referred to as morphotypes, i. e. making no assumptions as to which taxonomic level they best apply

La Vegetación liquénica saxícola de los volcanes del Mar Menor (Murcia, SE de España)

Estudi florístic, fitosociològic i ecològic dels líquens d'un conjunt d'afloraments de laves àcides situats al Mar Menor, davant la barra d'aquest, o en terra, vora la costa, en el pis termomediterràni semiàrid, amb hiverns molt tèrmics, en bona part per l'efecte moderador del mar, en l'àrea potencial del Mayteno-Periplocetum angustifoliae i del Chamaeropo- Rhamnetum lycioidis. Les localitats estudiades són interessants per representar el límit septentrional ibèric d'espècies termòfiles com: Caloplaca scoriophila, Dimelaena radiata, Ramalina bourgeana, R. clementeana i Xanthoria resendei, i de comunitats ben conegudes al SE de la Península i a Canàries com: Xanthorietum resendei, Ramalinetum bourgeanae, Solenopsoro-Diploicietum subcanescentis, Pertusarietum gallicae. Dos tàxons són descrits com a nous: Acarospora heufleuriana var. gomphata (tipus de Mazarron) i Buellia caloplacivora (tipus de les illes Columbrets). També proposem com a entitats noves en la tipologia fitosociològica: Buellio-Caloplacetum littoreae Egea & Llim. as. nova., Pertusarietum gallicae sas. pertusarietosum monogonae sas. nova i P. gallicae sas. diploschistetosum actinostomi sas. nova. Finalment, situem les diverses comunitats observades en un tall esquemàtic d'una illa representativa ideal.Floristic, phytosociologic and ecologic description of lichens living on acid lava, in some volcanic outcrops in or around the Mar Menor, in the thermomediterraneen semiarid stage are given. The area has fairly thermic winters, mainly because of the moderating effect of neighbouring sea. Acarospora heufleuriana var. gomphata nova and Buellia caloplacivora nova, are described and figured. Three syntaxa described as new are: Buellio-Caloplacetum Iittoreae, Pertusarietum gallicae sas. pertusarietosum monogonae and sas. diploschistetosum actinostomi. The paper closes with a scheme of the communities distribution in a section of a typic island of the zone

Kandungan Logam Cr, Cu, dan Zn pada Daging Siput Sedut (Cerithidea Montagnei) dengan Ukuran Berbeda di Perairan Pulau Kundur Kabupaten Karimun Provinsi Kepulauan Riau

This research was conducted in October 2017 by taking samples from Tanjung Berlian and Gading Sari coastal waters of Kundur Island, Karimun Regency, Kepulauan Riau Province. This study aims to analyze the heavy metal content of Cu, Cr and Zn on C. Montagnei, to analyze the relationship of heavy metal content with snail size, to evaluate the level of pollution status of Kundur Island waters and to estimate the safety level of snail consumption by human. The metal content on the small size of the snail is larger than the larger size. The average content of Cu in Station 1 was found in small size (1.3877 μg/g), medium size (1,0783 μg/g) and large size (1.6100 μg/g), whilst in Station 2 was found as follow: large size with an average of 1.4417 μg/g. Cr content in Station 1 for small size (5.0383 μg/g), medium size (1.4850 μg/g) and large size (3.0950 μg/g). Snail in Station 2 was only found at Station 2 (1.9517 μg/g). Zn content in small size of snail was in Station 1 (117,4500 μg/g), medium size (122,5200 μg/g) and large size (115,9200 μg/g). Meanwhile, Zn content in snail at Station 2 was 104.7283 μg/g in large size

Improved phylogeny of brown algae Cystoseira (Fucales) from the Atlantic- Mediterranean region based on mitochondrial sequences

Cystoseira is a common brown algal genus widely distributed throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions whose taxonomical assignment of specimens is often hampered by intra- and interspecific morphological variability. In this study, three mitochondrial regions, namely cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI), 23S rDNA (23S), and 23S-tRNAVal intergenic spacer (mt-spacer) were used to analyse the phylogenetic relationships of 22 Cystoseira taxa (n = 93 samples). A total of 135 sequences (48 from COI, 43 from 23S and 44 from mtspacer) were newly generated and analysed together with Cystoseira sequences (9 COI, 31 23S and 35 mt-spacer) from other authors. Phylogenetic analysis of these three markers identified 3 well-resolved clades and also corroborated the polyphyletic nature of the genus. The resolution of Cystoseira taxa within the three clades improves significantly when the inclusion of specimens of related genera was minimized. COI and mt-spacer markers resolved the phylogeny of some of the Cystoseira taxa, such as the C. baccata, C. foeniculacea and C. usneoides. Furthermore, trends between phylogeny, embryonic development and available chemotaxonomic classifications were identified, showing that phylogenetic, chemical and morphological data should be taken into account to study the evolutionary relationships among the algae currently classified as Cystoseira. The resolution of Cystoseira macroalgae into three well supported clades achieved here is relevant for a more accurate isolation and identification of natural compounds and the implementation of conservation measures for target species. PLOS ON

Diversity of Bivalve and Gastropod in the Coastal Waters of Kundur Island Karimun Regency Kepulauan Riau Province

Coastal waters of Kundur Island is inhabit by marine organisms, including bivalve and gastropod. A research aims to determine the diversity of bivalve and gastropod in the coastal waters of the Kundur Island was conducted on Desember 2015-January 2016. Samples were taken at eight stations. Bivalve and gastropod indentification was based on Dharma (1992), Roberts et al. (1982), Morris (1966) and Abbott (1991). There were 10 species of bivalves and 28 species of gastropods present. The is highest bivalves and gastropods density were in the station 3, there was 6 organisms / m2 and the lowest was in the station 1 which was 3 organisms/ m2. Nerita funiculata shown the highest relative density (57%) while Ostrea lurida was the lowest (0.3%). The diversity index (H\u27) ranged from 1.28-2.81 (average), the evenness index (E) was 0.60-0.82. The dominant index (C) was 0.25-0.54, and it means that there was not dominant species. Based on data obtained, it can be concluded that the coastal waters of the Kundur Island is categorized as good