First record of the mite Hirstiella diolii Baker (Prostigmata : Pterygosomatidae) from Australia, with a review of mites found on Australian lizards

We report the First occurrence in Australia of an exotic mite parasite of lizards, Hirstiella diolii Baker (Prostigmata, Pterygosomatidae), and its association with iguanas at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney. We also report on the spread of the exotic snake mite Ophionyssus natricis (Gervais) to native populations of skinks, provide a key to the mites associated with Australian lizards and review how to distinguish chiggers from pterygosomatid mites.

Of mites and bees: A review of mite-bee associations in Australia and a revision of Raymentia Womersley (Acari : Mesostigmata : Laelapidae), with the description of two new species of mites from Lasioglossum (Parasphecodes) spp. (Hymenoptera : Halictidae)

Social bees have a diverse fauna of symbiotic mesostigmatic mites, including highly pathogenic parasites of the honeybee, but there are few reports of Mesostigmata phoretic on or inhabiting the nests of solitary or communal, ground-nesting bees. In south-eastern Australia, however, native bees in the family Halictidae carry what appears to be a substantial radiation of host-specific mesostigmatans in the family Laelapidae. Herein, we redescribe the obscure genus Raymentia , associated with Lasioglossum (Parasphecodes ) spp. bees (Halictidae) and describe two new species, R. eickwortiana from L. lacthium (Smith) and R. walkeriana from L. atronitens (Cockerell). The type species, R. anomala Womersley, is associated with L. altichum (Smith). In addition, we review the mites known to be associated with Australian bees, provide a key to differentiate them, and describe and illustrate acarinaria of the Halictinae. We also report on the first occurrences in Australia of the genera Trochometridium Cross (Heterostigmata: Trochometridiidae), from L. eremaean Walker (Halictidae), and Cheletophyes Oudemans (Prostigmata: Cheyletidae) from Xylocopa Latreille (Xylocopinae), and on the previously unknown association between a Neocypholaelaps Vitzthum (Mesostigmata: Ameroseiidae) and Lipotriches tomentifera (Friese) (Halictidae).

The ultrastructure of Macropodinium moiri and revised diagnosis of the Macropodiniidae (Litostomatea : Trichostomatia)

The ultrastructural features of Macropodinium moiri were investigated. The somatic cortex is composed of two lateral non-ciliated zones covered with trapezoidal plates and separated by a trough-like dorsoventral groove (DVG) which divides the cell into left and right halves. The somatic kineties occupy the margins of the DVG and are composed of monokinetids whose infraciliature shows a typical litostome pattern. The pellicular plates are lamellate, and separated by V-shaped grooves which are lined by thick-walled vacuoles. The DVG cortex is composed of electron-opaque U-shaped ribs which alternate with electron-lucent saccular structures. The DVG surface is composed of small regular pellicular sacs built up to form the ridges of the dorsal DVG. The vestibulum forms a laterally compressed cone with left/right differentiation. The basal section of its non-ciliated right side is internally lined (outer to innermost) by longitudinal fibres, nematodesmata and transverse microtubular ribbons. The left side bears the vestibular kineties and in its basal section is lined (outer to innermost) by small nematodesmata and transverse tubules. Cytoplasmic organelles include endoplasmic reticulum, starch granules and a single contactile vacuole surrounded by patches of nephridioplasm. Hydrogenosomes are absent and coccoid Gram-positive bacteria lie under the ciliated portions of the cell. This set of characteristics differs significantly from those of the all other trichostomes; Macropodiniidae is therefore designated Trichostomatia incertae sedis. A revised familial diagnosis of the Macropodiniidae is proposed.

Isolation of Gemmata-like and Isosphaera-like planctomycete bacteria from soil and freshwater

New cultured strains of the planctomycete division (order Planctomycetales) of the domain Bacteria related to species in the genera Gemmata and Isosphaera were isolated from soil, freshwater, and a laboratory ampicillin solution. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene from eight representative isolates showed that all the isolates were members of the planctomycete division. Six isolates clustered with Gemmata obscuriglobus and related strains, while two isolates clustered with Isosphaera pallida. A double-membrane-bounded nucleoid was observed in Gemmata-related isolates but not in Isosphaera-related isolates, consistent with the ultrastructures of existing species of each genus. Two isolates from this study represent the first planctomycetes successfully cultivated from soil.

The ultrastructure of Amylovorax dehorityi comb. nov and erection of the Amylovoracidae fam. nov (Ciliophora : Trichostomatia)

The ultrastructural features of the holotrichous ciliates inhabiting macropodid maruspials were investigated to resolve their morphological similarity to other trichostome ciliates with observed differences in their small subunit rRNA gene sequences. The ultrastructure of Amylovorax dehorityi nov. comb. (formerly Dasytricha dehorityi) was determined by transmission electron microscopy. The somatic kineties are composed of monokinetids whose microtubules show a typical litostome pattern. The somatic cortex is composed of ridges which separate kinety rows, granular ectoplasm and a basal layer of hydrogenosomes lining the tela corticalis. The vestibulum is an invagination of the pellicle lined down one side with kineties (invaginated extensions of the somatic kineties); transverse tubules line the surface of the vestibulum and small nematodesmata surround it forming a cone-like network of struts. Cytoplasmic organelles include hydrogenosomes, irregularly shaped contractile vacuoles surrounded by a sparse spongioplasm, food vacuoles containing bacteria and large numbers of starch granules. This set of characteristics differs sufficiently from those of isotrichids and members of the genus Dasytricha to justify the erection of a new genus (Amylovorax) and a new family (Amylovoracidae). Dasytricha dehorityi, D. dogieli and D. mundayi are reassigned to the new genus Amylovorax and a new species A. quokka is erected. While the gross morphological similarities between Amylovorax and Dasytricha may be explained by convergent evolution, ultrastructural features indicate that these two genera have probably diverged independently from haptorian ancestors by successive reduction of the cortical and vestibular support structures.

Further observations on the Enenteridae Yamaguti, 1958 (Digenea, Lepocreadioidea) of the Indo-West Pacific region, including a new species from Western Australia

Measurements are given for all and full descriptions and illustrations for some of the following enenterid species: Enenterum aureum Linton, 1910 in Kyphosus bigibbus and K. sydneyanus? from Ningaloo Coral Reef, Western Australia, K. vaigiensis from off Heron Island, Queensland and K. vaigiensis from off Moorea, French Polynesia; E. mannarense Hafeezullah, 1980 in K. bigibbus and K. sydneyanus? from Ningaloo Coral Reef; E. elongatum Yamaguti, 1970 in K. vaigiensis from Heron Island, Queensland and K. bigibbus and K. sydneyanus? from Ningaloo Coral Reef; Koseiria alanwilliamsi sp. nov. in Kyphosus cornelii from off Kalbarri, Western Australia; Koseiria xishaense Gu et Shen, 1983 in K. vaigiensis from off Heron Island and K. bigibbus from off Palau, Micronesia; Proenenterum isocotylum Manter, 1954 in Aplodactylus arctidens from off Stanley, Tasmania; R ericotylum Manter, 1954 in A. arctidens from off Stanley; Cadenatella isuzumi Machida, 1993 from Kyphosus bigibbus and K. sydneyanus? from Ningaloo Coral Reef; Cadenatella pacifica (Yamaguti, 1970) from Kyphosus bigibbus from Ningaloo Coral Reef. Two recent cladistic studies of the Enenteridae are discussed and a further analysis has shown that Enenterum and Cadenatella are monophyletic, whilst Koseiria appears polyphyletic. The zoogeography and host-specificity of Kyphosus-inhabiting enenterids is discussed.

Molecular evidence for the common origin of snap-traps among carnivorous plants

The snap-trap leaves of the aquatic waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda) resemble those of Venus' flytrap (Dionaea), its distribution and habit are reminiscent of bladderworts (Utricularia), but it shares many reproductive characters with sundews (Drosera). Moreover, Aldrovanda has never been included in molecular phylogenetic studies, so it has been unclear whether snap-traps evolved only once or more than once among angiosperms. Using sequences from nuclear 18S and plastid rbcL, atpB, and matK genes, we show that Aldrovanda is sister to Dionaea, and this pair is sister to Drosera. Our results indicate that snap-traps are derived from flypaper-traps and have a common ancestry among flowering plants, despite the fact that this mechanism is used by both a terrestrial species and an aquatic one. Genetic and fossil evidence for the close relationship between these unique and threatened organisms indicate that carnivory evolved from a common ancestor within this caryophyllid clade at least 65 million years ago.

Molecular phylogenetics of Lentibulariaceae inferred from plastid rps16 Intron and trnL-F DNA sequences: implications for character evolution and biogeography

Phylogenetic relationships among 75 species of Lentibulariaceae, representing the three recognized genera, were assessed by cladistic analysis of DNA sequences from the plastid rps16 intron and the trnL-F region. Sequence data from the two loci were analyzed both separately and in combination. Consensus trees from all analyses are congruent, and parsimony jackknife results demonstrate strong support for relationships both between and within each of the three demonstrably monophyletic genera. The genus Pinguicula is sister to a Genlisea-Utricularia clade, the phylogenetic structure within this clade closely follows Taylor's recent sectional delimitations based on morphology. Three principal clades are shown within Utricularia, with the basal sections Polypoinpholyx and Pleiochasia together forming the sister lineage of the remaining Utricularia species. Of the fundamental morphological specializations, the stoloniferous growth form apparently arose independently within Genlisea and Utricularia three times, and within Utricularia itself, perhaps more than once. The epiphytic habit has evolved independently at least three times, in Pinguicula, in Utricularia section Phyllaria, and within the two sections Orchidioides and Iperua (in the latter as bromeliad tank-epiphytes). The suspended aquatic habit may have evolved independently within sections Utricularia and Vesiculina. Biogeographic optimization on the phylogeny demonstrates patterns commonly associated with the boreotropics hypothesis and limits the spatial origin of Lentibulariaceae to temperate Eurasia or tropical America.

Analysis of genetic diversity in Cassia brewsteri with randomly amplified DNA fingerprints (RAFS)

Genetic diversity in Cassia brewsteri (F. Muell.) F. Muell. ex Benth. was assessed with Randomly Amplified DNA Fingerprints (RAFs). Thirty accessions of C. brewsteri collected from throughout its natural distribution were analysed with three random decamer primers, along with three accessions of C. tomentella (Benth.) Domin and a single accession of each of C. queenslandica C. T. White and C. marksiana (F. M. Bailey) Domin. The three primers yielded a reproducible amplification profile of 265 scorable polymorphic fragments for the 35 accessions. These molecular markers were used to calculate Nei and Li similarity coefficients between each pair of individuals. A matrix of dissimilarity of each pair of individuals was examined by multidimensional scaling (MDS). The analysis supports the division of C. brewsteri into two subspecies and the suggestion that intergradation of C. brewsteri and C. tomentella can occur where the distributions of these species meet.

Evolution of the secondary structure of the rRNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) in hard ticks (Ixodidae, Arthropoda)

ITS2 sequences are used extensively in molecular taxonomy and population genetics of arthropods and other animals yet little is known about the molecular evolution of ITS2. We studied the secondary structure of ITS2 in species from each of the six main lineages of hard ticks (family Ixodidae). The ITS2 of these ticks varied in length from 679 bp in Ixodes scapularis to 1547 bp in Aponomma concolor. Nucleotide content varied also: the ITS2 of ticks from the Prostriata lineage (Ixodes spp.) had 46-49% GC whereas ITS2 sequences of ticks from the Metastriata lineage (all other hard ticks) had 61-62% GC. Despite variation in nucleotide sequence, the secondary structure of the ITS2 of all of these ticks apparently has five domains. Stems 1, 3, 4 and 5 of this secondary structure were obvious in all of the species studied. However, stem 2 was not always obvious despite the fact that it is flanked by highly conserved sequence motifs in the adjacent stems, stems 1 and 3. The ITS2 of hard ticks has apparently evolved mostly by increases and decreases in length of the nucleotide sequences, which caused increases, and decreases in the length of stems of the secondary structure. This is most obvious when stems of the secondary structures of the Prostriata (Ixodes spp.) are compared to those of the Metastriata (all other hard ticks). Increases in the size of the ITS2 may have been caused by replication slippage which generated large repeats, like those seen in Haemaphysalis humerosa and species from the Rhipicepalinae lineage, and the small repeats found in species from the other lineages of ticks.

Synonymy of Perkinsus olseni Lester & Davis, 1981 and Perkinsus atlanticus Azevedo, 1989 and an update on the phylogenetic position of the genus Perkinsus

Sequences of the rRNA nontranscribed spacer (NTS) were determined for six isolates of Perkinsus olseni, seven isolates of Perkinsus sp. from Anadara trapezia and one isolate of Perkinsus sp. from Austrovenus stutchburyi. These sequences were compared with previously published NTS sequences for R atlanticus, P. marinus and P. andrewsi. Consensus sequences for Perkinsus olseni, the Perkinsus isolates and P. atlanticus were approximately 98-99% similar to each other but only 65-79% similar to P. marinus and P. andrewsi sequences. Some individual P. olseni sequences were less similar to each other (97.4%) than they were to P. atlanticus sequences (97.8-98.2%), therefore NTS provides further evidence that P. atlanticus, P. olseni, Perkinsus sp. from Anadara trapezia and Perkinsus sp. from Austrovenus stutchburyi are conspecific. We propose that P. atlanticus be synonymised with P. olseni Lester & Davis, 1981 which has taxonomic priority, and that Perkinsus sp. from Anadara trapezia and Perkinsus sp. from Austrovenus stutchburyi belong to R olseni sensu lato as well. A phylogenetic analysis of SSU rDNA, incorporating recently published Perkinsus sequences, supports the placement of the Perkinsus species with Parvilucifera infectans within the Dinoflagellata.

Relationships of extant lower Brachycera (Diptera): a quantitative synthesis of morphological characters

With over 80 000 described species, Brachycera represent one of the most diverse clades of organisms with a Mesozoic origin. Larvae of the majority of early lineages are detritivores or carnivores. However, Brachycera are ecologically innovative and they now employ a diverse range of feeding strategies. Brachyceran relationships have been the subject of numerous qualitative analyses using morphological characters. These analyses are often based on characters from one or a few character systems and general agreement on relationships has been elusive. In order to understand the evolution of basal brachyceran lineages, 101 discrete morphological characters were scored and compiled into a single data set. Terminals were scored at the family level, and the data set includes characters from larvae, pupae and adults, internal and external morphology, and male and female terminalia. The results show that all infraorders of Brachycera are monophyletic, but there is little evidence for relationships between the infraorders. Stratiomyomorpha, Tabanomorpha, and Xylophagomorpha together form the sister group to Muscomorpha. Xylophagomorpha and Tabanomorpha are sister groups. Within Muscomorpha, the paraphyletic Nemestrinoidea form the two most basal lineages. There is weak evidence for the monophyly of Asiloidea, and Hilarimorphidae appear to be more closely related to Eremoneura than other muscomorphs. Apsilocephalidae, Scenopinidae and Therevidae form a clade of Asiloidea. This phylogenetic evidence is consistent with the contemporaneous differentiation of the main brachyceran lineages in the early Jurassic. The first major radiation of Muscomorpha were asiloids and they may have diversified in response to the radiation of angiosperms in the early Cretaceous.