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Mol Phylogenet Evol 2021 Apr 19:107180. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Australian freshwater fishes are a relatively species-poor assemblage, mostly comprising groups derived from older repeated freshwater invasions by marine ancestors, plus a small number of Gondwanan lineages. These taxa are both highly endemic and highly threatened, but a comprehensive phylogeny for Australian freshwater fishes is lacking. This has hampered efforts to study their phylogenetic diversity, distribution of extinction risk, speciation rates, and rates of trait evolution. Read More

Gene 2021 Apr 19:145674. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address:

During the growing season of 2018, several field-grown cucurbit plants in different parts of Iraq and Iran were surveyed for the presence of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), using two degenerate primer pairs (CIF/Rev and NIb2F/3R) targeting the two separated partial regions of the potyvirus genome (CI and NIb respectively). 7 out of 20 samples were confirmed to be infected with ZYMV. Phylogenetic analyses based on the CI gene grouped all Iranian and two Iraqi (ZYMV1 and ZYMV2) isolates together with isolates from the Middle East in the subgroup (AI), whereas the other Iraqi (ZYMV3 and ZYMV4) isolates were clustered in the subgroup (DI), which was only consisted of American isolates. Read More

Dev Biol 2021 Apr 19. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA. Electronic address:

The evolution of vertebrates from an invertebrate chordate ancestor involved the evolution of new organs, tissues, and cell types. It was also marked by the origin and duplication of new gene families. If, and how, these morphological and genetic innovations are related is an unresolved question in vertebrate evolution. Read More

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021 Apr;71(4)

Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Kenneth Li Marine Biopharmaceutical Research Center, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315800, PR China.

A Gram-stain-negative, ovoid-shaped, motile and strictly aerobic bacterium, designated ZQ172, was isolated from marine sediment sampled on Zhoushan Island located in the East China Sea. Strain ZQ172 grew optimally at temperatures of 25-30 °C, at NaCl concentration of 2.0 % (w/v) and at pH 7. Read More

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021 Apr;71(4)

Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, School of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, PR China.

A bacterial strain designated RZ02 was isolated from surface seawater collected from the Yellow Sea in PR China and characterized by polyphasic taxonomy. Cells of strain RZ02 were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive rods forming ochre-pigmented colonies. Growth occurred at 7-36 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6. Read More

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021 Apr;71(4)

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Valley Laboratory, 153 Cook Hill Road, Windsor, CT 06095, USA.

Two isolates from Canada and the USA (UAMH 7122 and UAMH 7211, respectively) previously identified as were studied by morphology and six-locus phylogeny (, ITS, , , and ). UAMH 7122 and UAMH 7211 are morphologically related but phylogenetically distinct from (≡) and . Hence, UAMH 7122 and UAMH 7211 are described as a new species, sp. Read More

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021 Apr;71(4)

Department of Biology and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize two novel bacterial strains, designated as HDW11 and HDW19, isolated from intestine samples of the dark diving beetle and the diving beetle , respectively. Both isolates were Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic and non-motile. Strain HDW11 grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 8 and in the presence of 1% (w/v) NaCl. Read More

Oecologia 2021 Apr 22. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Graduate Program in Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil.

Leaf traits are closely linked to plant responses to the environment and can provide important information on adaptation and evolution. These traits may also result from common ancestry, so phylogenetic relationships also play an important role in adaptive evolution. We evaluated the effects of the closed forest environment (gallery forest) and the open savanna environment (cerrado) on the selection of leaf traits of graminoid species. Read More

Plant Physiol 2019 Jun;180(3):1677-1690

Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.

Functional diversification of transcription factors allows the precise regulation of transcriptomic changes under different environmental conditions. The NUCLEAR FACTOR Y (NF-Y) transcription factor comprises three subunits, NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC, and is broadly diversified in plant species, whereas Humans (Homo sapiens) have one protein for each subunit. However, there remains much to be learned about the diversified functions of each subunit in plants. Read More

J Econ Entomol 2021 Apr 22. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA.

A new infestation of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae), was discovered in Canyon Lake, Riverside County, California. We used three mitochondrial DNA (COI, COII, and 16S) and seven polymorphic microsatellite markers to characterize the genetic relationship of the colony with two other colonies that were collected in 1992 and 2018 in La Mesa, San Diego County. Maximum likelihood phylogeny of C. Read More

J Leukoc Biol 2021 Apr 22. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Center for Translational Immunology, Dept. Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Inhibitory and activating immune receptors play a key role in modulating the amplitude and duration of immune responses during infection and in maintaining immune balance in homeostatic conditions. The CD200 Receptor (CD200R) gene family in humans encodes one inhibitory receptor, CD200R1, and one putative activating member, CD200R1 Like (CD200R1L). It is demonstrated that CD200R1L is endogenously expressed by human neutrophils and activates cellular functions such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production via Syk, PI3Kβ, PI3Kδ, and Rac GTPase signaling. Read More

Parasitol Res 2021 Apr 22. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Science Park, University of Valencia, Paterna, Valencia, Spain.

The genus Cardicola Short, 1953 has the highest number of species within the family Aporocotylidae (Trematoda: Digenea). Five Cardicola species have been reported to date in the Mediterranean Sea, one of them in the gilthead seabream Sparus aurata L. Analyses of infected S. Read More

MycoKeys 2021 5;78:169-186. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110164, China.

Two new wood-inhabiting fungi, and , are proposed and described from Asia based on ITS, nrLSU and molecular phylogeny and morphological characteristics. is characterized by a stipitate basidiocarp, velutinate pileal surface concentrically zoned, hydnoid hymenophore, a dimitic hyphal system in spine trama and monomitic in context, absence of gloeocystidia, presence of cystidioles and the non-amyloid, cylindrical to ellipsoid basidiospores. is characterized by a laterally stipitate basidiocarp with flabelliform to semicircular pileus, hirtellous pileal surface with appressed coarse hair and concentrically zoned and sulcate, tiny pores (10-12 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system, absence of any type of cystidia, short clavate basidia and thin-walled, smooth, cylindrical to allantoid basidiospores. Read More

Zookeys 2021 5;1028:1-28. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 Henan, China Henan Normal University Xinxiang China.

Two new species of the genus (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae) from Hainan Island of China are described on the basis of morphological, karyological and molecular data. Chen & Dong, . is mainly characterized by a hemispherical, asymmetrical penis papilla with ventrally displaced ejaculatory duct opening terminally at tip of penis papilla; vasa deferentia separately opening into mid-dorsal portion of intrabulbar seminal vesicle; two diaphragms in the ejaculatory duct; copulatory bursa formed by expansion of bursal canal, lined with complex stratified epithelium, which projects through opening in bursa towards intestine, without having open communication with the gut; mixoploid chromosome complement diploid (2n = 16) and triploid (3n = 24), with metacentric chromosomes. Read More

J Appl Ecol 2021 Apr 23;58(4):718-730. Epub 2020 Dec 23.

UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Wallingford UK.

Plant pathogens are introduced to new geographical regions ever more frequently as global connectivity increases. Predicting the threat they pose to plant health can be difficult without in-depth knowledge of behaviour, distribution and spread. Here, we evaluate the potential for using biological traits and phylogeny to predict global threats from emerging pathogens. Read More

mSphere 2021 Apr 21;6(2). Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Bioinformatics Center, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Japan

Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) are highly diverse and abundant in marine environments. However, the knowledge of their hosts is limited because only a few NCLDVs have been isolated so far. Taking advantage of the recent large-scale marine metagenomics census, host prediction approaches are expected to fill the gap and further expand our knowledge of virus-host relationships for unknown NCLDVs. Read More

BMC Plant Biol 2021 Apr 21;21(1):193. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.

Background: LEA proteins are widely distributed in the plant and animal kingdoms, as well as in micro-organisms. LEA genes make up a large family and function in plant protection against a variety of adverse conditions.

Results: Bioinformatics approaches were adopted to identify LEA genes in the flax genome. Read More

BMC Ecol Evol 2021 Apr 21;21(1):58. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.

Background: Morphological convergence is a fundamental aspect of evolution, allowing for inference of the biology and ecology of extinct species by comparison with the form and function of living species as analogues. The thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus), the iconic recently extinct marsupial, is considered a classic example of convergent evolution with the distantly related placental wolf or dog, though almost nothing is actually known regarding its ecology. This lack of data leads to questions regarding the degree of convergence with, and the similarity of, the functional ecology of the thylacine and the wolf/dog. Read More

BMC Genomics 2021 Apr 21;22(1):289. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India.

Background: Chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut are the primary legume crops of semi-arid tropics (SAT) and their global productivity is severely affected by drought stress. The plant-specific NAC (NAM - no apical meristem, ATAF - Arabidopsis transcription activation factor, and CUC - cup-shaped cotyledon) transcription factor family is known to be involved in majority of abiotic stresses, especially in the drought stress tolerance mechanism. Despite the knowledge available regarding NAC function, not much information is available on NAC genes in SAT legume crops. Read More

BMC Ecol Evol 2021 Apr 21;21(1):60. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.

Background: Lemurs once rivalled the diversity of rest of the primate order despite thier confinement to the island of Madagascar. We test the adaptive radiation model of Malagasy lemur diversity using a novel combination of phylogenetic comparative methods and geometric methods for quantifying tooth shape.

Results: We apply macroevolutionary model fitting approaches and disparity through time analysis to dental topography metrics associated with dietary adaptation, an aspect of mammalian ecology which appears to be closely related to diversification in many clades. Read More

Gene 2021 Apr 18:145667. Epub 2021 Apr 18.

Collaborative Innovation Center of Recovery and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystem in Wanjiang Basin Co-founded by Anhui Province and Ministry of Education, School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China. Electronic address:

To date, a relatively complete classification of Sphingidae (Lepidoptera) has been generated, but the phylogeny of the family remains need to be fully resolved. Some phylogenetic relationships within Sphingidae still remains uncertain, especially the taxonomic status of the subfamily Langiinae and its sole included genus and species, Langia zenzeroides. To begin to address this problem, we generated nine new complete mitochondrial genomes, including that of Langia, and together with that of Theretra oldenlandiae from our previous study and 25 other Sphingidae mitogenomes downloaded from GenBank, analyzed the phylogenetic relationships of Sphingidae and investigated the mitogenomic differences among members of the Langiinae, Sphinginae, Smerinthinae and Macroglossinae. Read More

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021 Apr;71(4)

Department of Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Max-Planck-Ring 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.

The genera (family '') and (family ) are close relatives within the phylum . Members of these genera are strictly anaerobic, non-spore-forming and short straight rods with diverse phenotypes. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes suggest that splits into a polyphyletic clade. Read More

Virus Genes 2021 Apr 21. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

The Biodesign Center of Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ, 85287-5001, USA.

Parsley severe stunt-associated virus (PSSaV) is a recently identified nanovirus first reported in Germany. During a survey for identification of nanoviruses infecting apiaceous plants in south-eastern Iran, PSSaV was identified and characterized using a combination of rolling circle amplification (RCA) and high-throughput sequencing. Parsley plant samples were collected from vegetable production farms in Kerman province. Read More

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2021 Apr 21. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3Z5, Canada.

The order Legionellales contains several clinically important microorganisms. Although members of this order are well-studied for their pathogenesis, there is a paucity of reliable characteristics distinguishing members of this order and its constituent genera. Genome sequences are now available for 73 Legionellales species encompassing ≈90% of known members from different genera. Read More

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2021 Apr 21. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Laboratório de Bacteriologia Vegetal, Instituto Biológico, Centro Avançado em Proteção de Plantas e Sanidade Animal-CAPSA, Alameda Dos Vidoeiros, 1097, Gramado, Campinas, SP, CEP:13101-680, Brazil.

This study aimed to characterize six Streptomyces strains associated with potato scab in south Brazil through polyphasic taxonomy involving morphology, pathogenicity and genetic features. These strains were compared with other potato-scab Streptomyces species mainly S. europaeiscabiei, S. Read More

Arch Virol 2021 Apr 21. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

The genomes of three putative novel viruses, tentatively named "Bacopa monnieri virus 1" (BmV1), "Bacopa monnieri virus 2" (BmV2), and "Bacopa monnieri virus 3" (BmV3) were identified in the transcriptome dataset of a medicinally important herb - water hyssop (Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst.). Read More

J Helminthol 2021 Apr 21;95:e23. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113Sofia, Bulgaria.

The aim of the study is to test a hypothesis for the phylogenetic relationships among mammalian hymenolepidid tapeworms, based on partial (D1-D3) nuclear 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, by estimating new molecular phylogenies for the group based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and nuclear 18S rRNA genes, as well as a combined analysis using all three genes. New sequences of COI and 18S rRNA genes were obtained for Coronacanthus integrus, C. magnihamatus, C. Read More

Zool Res 2021 May;42(3):287-293

Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.E-mail:

The species complex is a viviparous group in the genus , and a well-known representative of taxonomically complicated taxa. Within this complex, a new species - (Orlova et al., 2017) - has been described recently from western Mongolia and eastern Kazakhstan, with an apparent distribution gap in northwestern China. Read More

Mol Biol Rep 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jln UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Trichoderma is a genus of soil-borne fungus with an abundance of reports of its economic importance in the agriculture industry. Thus, the correct identification of Trichoderma species is necessary for its commercial purposes. Globally, Trichoderma species are routinely identified from micro-morphological descriptions which can be tedious and prone to errors. Read More

Endocrinology 2021 Apr 21. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Cardiovascular Research Institute & Department of Physiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Mammalian cardiomyocytes mostly utilize oxidation of fatty acids to generate ATP. The fetal heart, in stark contrast, mostly uses anaerobic glycolysis. During perinatal development, thyroid hormone drives extensive metabolic remodeling in the heart for adaptation to extrauterine life. Read More