D.B. Strongman

Discrimination between Hirsutella longicolla var. longicolla and hirsutella longicolla var. cornuta using random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting

The synnematous, fungal entomopathogen Hirsutella longicolla var. longicolla is distinguished from a variety Hirsutella longicolla var. cornuta on the basis of the synnematal morphology. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting supports the view that these fungi are genetically distinct. Two different banding patterns, one corresponding to isolates of the species and the other to the variety, were generated with two primers and DNA from 19 isolates. Further analysis using nine isolates (four of the species and five of the variety) with three additional primers confirmed the distinction between the species and its variety. This work illustrates the usefulness of the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA technique in addressing taxonomic questions.

Effects of Decomposition on Gunshot Wound Characteristics: Under Moderate Temperatures with Insect Activity

Abstract:  Previous studies document characteristics of gunshot wounds shortly after they were inflicted. This study was conducted to determine if the early stages of decomposition obscure or alter the physical surface characteristics of gunshot wounds, thereby affecting the quantity and quality of information retrievable from such evidence. The study was conducted in August and September, 2005 in Nova Scotia, Canada in forested and exposed environments. Recently killed pigs were used as research models and were shot six times each at three different ranges (contact, 2.5 cm, and 1.5 m). Under these test conditions, the gunshot wounds maintained the characteristics unique to each gunshot range and changes that occurred during decomposition were not critical to the interpretation of the evidence. It was concluded that changes due to decomposition under the conditions tested would not affect the collection and interpretation of gunshot wound evidence until the skin was degraded in the late active or advanced decay stage of decomposition.

New trichomycetes from Western China.

Data on trichomycete biodiversity in China is expanded with the description of three new fungal species, Legeriomyces grandis, Legeriosimilis elegans, Smittium shaanxiense, and a protist, Paramoebidium bacillare. The geographical distribution for the harpellid species, Glotzia ephemeridarum, Smittium culicis and Stachylina gravicaudata, is extended with their collection in western China, and five species previously known from Asia are also reported here.

Nematophagous fungi from cattle manure in four states of decomposition at three sites in Nova Scotia, Canada

New geographic distributions are reported for 18 species of nematophagous fungi from 36 samples of cow manure at three sites in Nova Scotia, Canada. Arthrobotrys flagrans was the most common species fol? lowed by Harposporium anguillulae and Myzocytium sp. The distribution of nematophagous fungi in manure in four different states of decomposition was exam? ined. The greatest number of species and highest prevalence of fungi were in the most decomposed manure, while the fewest species and lowest prevalence were in the least decomposed manure. This correlated with increased prevalence of nematodes as the manure de? composed.

Comparisons of twenty isolates of the entomopathogen Paecilomyces farinosus by analysis of RAPD markers

The genetic relatedness of twenty isolates of Paecilomyces farinosus was determined by comparison of the products of polymerase chain reaction amplification of anonymous regions of genomic DNA with single arbitrary sequence oligonucleotide primers (RAPD analysis). Isolates were collected from seven insect species in eastern Canada and they differed greatly in cultural and morphological phenotype. All P. farinosus isolates were clearly distinguished from three other entomopathogenic fungi, including P. fumosoroseus. RAPD banding patterns did not, however, correlate with ecological backgrounds or morphological phenotypes of P. farinosus isolates. These observations support the conclusion that P. farinosus from eastern Canada is not composed of strains which can be separated on the basis of the ecological or morphological criteria selected.

Two new Harpellales inhabiting the digestive tracts of midge larvae and other trichomycetes from Tianshan Mountains, China.

Two new taxa of gut fungi within order Harpellales (Kickxellomycotina) are described from a stream in the Tianshan Mountains in northwestern China. These include the new genus and species, Sinotrichium chironomidarum J. Wang, S.Q. Xu & Strongman, and the new species, Stachylina tianensis J. Wang, S.Q. Xu & Strongman, both living in the guts of aquatic chironomid larvae. We also extend the geographic range of Smittium rupestre, previously known only from Australia. A Harpellid specimen not fully identified and a species of Paramoebidium (Amoebidiales) also are documented.

Trifoliellum bioblitzii, a new genus of trichomycete from mayfly nymphs in Nova Scotia, Canada

Trichomycetes are an ecological group of fungi and protists that colonize the gut lining of invertebrates in aquatic and moist terrestrial habitats. The diversity of this group appears to be high with many new species discovered each year. A new genus of fungal trichomycete, Trifoliellum (Harpellales), is described here with the type species T. bioblitzii. This genus is characterized by having unique, trefoil-shaped asexual spores (trichospores). Another new species, Legeriosimilis halifaxensis, also is described from the same mayfly host, Eurylophella temporalis, collected from the same site near Halifax, Nova Scotia.

New trichomycete species from China and additional information on Gauthieromyces.

We describe three new species of gut fungi (Kickxellomycotina, Harpellales) from aquatic insects, including Caudomyces typhella from a crane fly larva and Genistelloides torrentis and Orphella sinica from stonefly nymphs. Details on trichomycete species previously reported from Asia, including China, are provided. Recent descriptions of two new species of Gauthieromyces provide a more complete understanding of the genus; it is emended to reflect this new information and an epitype is designated. The description of G. indicus is emended based on an examination of the type specimen and additional collections of this species from China.

Hirsutella nodulosa isolated from a rhodacarid mite on driftwood collected from an inland marine lake in Bermuda

A new host ( Hydrogamasus species, Acarina: Rhodacaridae) and geographic record (Bermuda) for the fungus Hirsutella nodulosa is reported.