9 research outputs found
Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota)
Compared to the higher fungi (Dikarya), taxonomic and evolutionary studies on the basal clades of fungi are fewer in number. Thus, the generic boundaries and higher ranks in the basal clades of fungi are poorly known. Recent DNA based taxonomic studies have provided reliable and accurate information. It is therefore necessary to compile all available information since basal clades genera lack updated checklists or outlines. Recently, Tedersoo et al. (MycoKeys 13:1--20, 2016) accepted Aphelidiomycota and Rozellomycota in Fungal clade. Thus, we regard both these phyla as members in Kingdom Fungi. We accept 16 phyla in basal clades viz. Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota. Thus, 611 genera in 153 families, 43 orders and 18 classes are provided with details of classification, synonyms, life modes, distribution, recent literature and genomic data. Moreover, Catenariaceae Couch is proposed to be conserved, Cladochytriales Mozl.-Standr. is emended and the family Nephridiophagaceae is introduced
Can the enemy release hypothesis explain the success of invasive alien predators and parasitoids?
Biological invasions are ecologically and economically costly. Understanding the major
mechanisms that contribute to an alien species becoming invasive is seen as essential for limiting the
effects of invasive alien species. However, there are a number of fundamental questions that need
addressing such as why some communities are more vulnerable to invasion than others and, indeed,
why some alien species become widespread and abundant. The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) is
widely evoked to explain the establishment and proliferation of an alien species. ERH predicts that an
alien species introduced to a new region should experience a decrease in regulation by natural enemies
which will lead to an increase in the distribution and abundance of the alien species. At the centre of
this theory is the assumption that natural enemies are important regulators of populations.
Additionally, the theory implies that such natural enemies have a stronger regulatory effect on native
species than they do on alien species in the introduced range, and this disparity in enemy regulation
results in increased population growth of the alien species. However, empirical evidence for the role of
the ERH in invasion success is lacking, particularly for invertebrates. Many studies equate a reduction
in the number of natural enemies associated with an alien species to release without studying
population effects. Further insight is required in relation to the effects of specific natural enemies on
alien and native species (particularly their ability to regulate populations). We review the role of
ecological models in exploring ERH. We suggest that recent developments in molecular technologies
offer considerable promise for investigating ERH in a community context
Invasive alien Crustacea: dispersal, establishment, impact and control
The subphylum Crustacea includes the most successful species among aquatic alien invaders. The impacts
of invasive alien crustaceans (IAC) are often substantial, due to the complex trophic role of most of these
species leading to cascading effects throughout the invaded ecosystems. IAC also have the potential to cause
a shift in the ‘keystone’ ecosystem functions, changing energy flux and nutrient cycles which together affect
critical ecosystem services such as biodiversity, fisheries yield and water quality. Although no individual trait
appears to be a good predictor of invasion success, a combination of some characteristics such as
eurytolerance, omnivory and certain r -selected life-history traits results in a high probability of alien
crustacean species becoming invasive. Both environmental factors, such as habitat heterogeneity in the
invaded ecosystems, and evolutionary factors, such as adaptations to new environmental conditions, also play
important roles during establishment. Therefore, individual environmental niche models, including genetic
algorithm, have the highest likelihood of providing useful predictive information about invasion success and
spread of alien Crustacea. Attempts to control IAC through biocides or mechanical removal have had mixed
success in the past but a strategic combination of different methods may lead to some success in the future