Prapassorn D. Eungwanichayapant

Accumulation of catechins in tea in relation to accumulation of mRNA from genes involved in catechin biosynthesis.

Catechins are a group of polyphenols found in tea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) at high levels. They are beneficial for health. From the study on accumulation of catechins in shoots and mature leaves of a tea cultivar, Oolong No. 17, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), it was found that the amounts of most catechins in the shoots were higher than those in the mature leaves, with an exception of catechins gallate (CG) that was found in trace amounts in both the shoots and mature leaves. mRNA accumulation of genes involved in catechin synthesis was studied using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that the mRNA accumulation of the genes were higher in the shoots than in the mature leaves. These genes included genes of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 1 (PAL1; EC 4.3.1.5), chalcone synthase (CHS; EC 2.3.1.74), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR; EC 1.1.1.219), leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LCR; EC 1.17.1.3), and flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H; EC 1.14.11.9).

Microfungi on Tamarix

Tamarix species are small trees that grow in various natural habitats and have a wide geographic distribution. Microfungal species previously found on Tamarix and recently collected in Italy and Russia were identified based on morphological characters and analyses of gene sequence data. The sexual morph of the coelomycetous genus Homortomyces was collected for the first time and is described and illustrated. A new family, Homortomycetaceae (Dothideomycetes, families incertae sedis) is introduced to accommodate Homortomyces. Two new genera Neomicrosphaeropsis (Didymellaceae) and Tamaricicola (Pleosporaceae) are introduced in this paper. Phoma tamaricicola was recollected and is placed in Neomicrosphaeropsis based on morphology and molecular data. Ten new species, Cytospora italica, C. unilocularis, Diaporthe ravennica, Eutypella tamaricis, Neomicrosphaeropsis italica, N. novorossica, N. rossica, Keissleriella tamaricicola, Paracamarosporium tamaricis and Tamaricicola muriformis are introduced, while Alternaria tenuissima, Dothiorella sarmentorum, Neofusicoccum luteum, Paraepicoccum amazonense, Pleospora herbarum and Pseudocamarosporium propinquum are reported for the first time on Tamarix spp. with descriptions and illustrations. Multi-gene analyses show that Paraepicoccum amazonense should be placed in Pleosporineae, Pleosporales, where it is closely related to Camarosporium sensu stricto. Several herbarium specimens were studied to illustrate other fungal species recorded on Tamarix species. A comprehensive account of microfungi on Tamarix is provided, which includes a list with data from the literature, as well as those identified in the present study. The taxonomic placement of most taxa discussed in this study is based on a modern taxonomic framework based on analysis of multi-gene sequence data.

Additions to the Genus Rhytidhysteron in Hysteriaceae

Abstract Rhytidhysteron (Hysteriaceae) species are widely distributed as saprobes or weak pathogens on a wide range of woody plants. In this study, several Rhytidhysteron collections were made in northern Thailand and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses were used to resolve the phylogenetic boundaries of species. Two novel species, R. thailandicum and R. neorufulum are introduced, based on morphological traits and multi-gene phylogeny. The genus is revised with a key to species.

Novel Neoacanthostigma Species from Aquatic Habitats

Abstract Helicosporous hyphomycetes are a morphologically fascinating group of Tubeufiales. Ten dematiaceous helicosporous asexual morphs and two sexual morphs collected from aquatic habitats are characterized in this study using morphological features and phylogenetic analyses. Four new species of Neoacanthostigma, viz. N. aquaticum, N. brunneisporum, N. guangxiense and N. latisporum, are described and illustrated. The phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU and TEF1α sequence data place all taxa in the genus Neoacanthostigma (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) and provide evidence to support the establishment of the new taxa. The differentiating morphological characters of Neoacanthostigma with other helicosporous species are compared and discussed. A key to all Neoacanthostigma species is also provided.

Notes on the genus Yunnantettix Zheng (Tetrigidae: Cladonotinae), with descriptions of two new species from Thailand

Two new species, Yunnantettix nanensis sp. nov. and Yunnantettix variabilis sp. nov. are described from Thailand, and current knowledge on their ecology and habits are presented. Generic characteristics of Yunnantettix are updated according to all known species, and a precise key to all known species of the genus is given. Yunnantettix and its allied genera are compared, which clarifies diagnostically valuable characters. Morphology of the wings covered by pronotum is analyzed.

Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses reveals Neohelicosporium gen. nov. and five new species of helicosporous hyphomycetes from aquatic habitats

Helicosporous hyphomycetes are a morphologically allied group of Tubeufiales. We introduce a new helicosporous genus, Neohelicosporium, with five new species, Neohelicosporium aquaticum, N. guangxiense, N. hyalosporum, N. parvisporum, and N. thailandicum, based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The RPB2 protein gene data are provided to analyze their phylogeny in Tubeufiales. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1α sequence data from 13 new isolates of Neohelicosporium provided evidence to support the establishment of the new taxa. The morphological characters of Neohelicosporium that differentiate it from other helicosporous species are compared and discussed.

Taxonomy of Macromotettixoides with the description of a new species (Tetrigidae, Metrodorinae)

Abstract Descriptions of the flying organs and generic characteristics of the genus Macromotettixoides Zheng, Wei & Jiang are currently imprecise. Macromotettixoides is reviewed and compared with allied genera. A re-description is undertaken and a determination key is provided to Macromotettixoides. Macromotettixoides parvula Zha & Wen, sp. n. from the Guizhou Karst Region, China, is described and illustrated with photographs. Observations on the ecology and habits of the new species are recorded. Four current species of Hyboella Hancock are transferred to Macromotettixoides. Variations of the flying organs and tegminal sinus in the Tetrigidae are discussed, which will help to describe them accurately.

Species diversity of Tetrigidae (Orthoptera) in Guizhou, China with description of two new species

ABSTRACT Guizhou Province, located in southwest China, is famous for its wholly karst landforms, in which many pygmy locusts with poor dispersal ability have been isolated and preserved. Species diversity of Tetrigidae from Guizhou is introduced, which deals with six sub-families, 28 genera and 69 species, among them, 33 species are endemic to Guizhou. Two new species, Paragavialidum prominemarginatus Zha & Ding sp. nov. and Teredorus jinshaensis Zha & Ding sp. nov. are described and illustrated with photographs. Flatocerus chishuiensis, Flatocerus nigritibialis and Flatocerus nigrifemura are considered as synonyms of Flatocerus wuyishanensis. Flatocerus wuyishanensis is redescribed and photographed based on our collections. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:334D6268-E3C1-450E-A3A2-31F9839B4EE6

Effects of 6-Benzyladenine on Jatropha Gene Expression and Flower Development

Jatropha curcas L. has been considered as a potential source of biodiesel feedstock due to its highly seed oil content. However, Jatropha exhibits low numbers of female flowers leading to insufficient seed yields for biodiesel production. Previous studies showed that application of 6-benzyladenine (BA) on Jatropha flower buds significantly increased female flower numbers and seed yield. However, the underlining molecular mechanism remained unclear. In this study, 160 mg/L of BA was applied on the Jatropha flower buds. As a result, BA significantly increased female flowers, male flowers, and seed yield (P < 0.05). BA also affected the inflorescences area, number and length of pedicel, all of which were appreciably greater than control (P < 0.05). The effect of BA to flower bud development was observed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). SEM revealed that the stages of floral development between control and BA-treatment were similar indicating that BA might affect floral development at the transcriptomic level. Flower buds at 0, 4, and 24 h were selected based on the presence of sex organs for genes involved in flower development investigation. The expression analysis of 23 genes showed that CYTOKININ OXIDASE/DEHYDROGENASE5 (JcCKX5) was highly expressed at the transition stage (P< 0.05) subsequently enhanced the inflorescences area, increased organogenic capacity and ovule primordia formation. Moreover, application of BA increased the expression of SUPERMAN (JcSUP) and decreased the expression of TASSELSEED2 (JcTS2) during sex organs differentiated stage. Therefore, JcSUP might play a role in female flower formation parallel with arrested stamen formation through the down-regulation of JcTS2.

A taxonomic reassessment of Tubeufiales based on multi-locus phylogeny and morphology

This study deals with an extensive taxonomic reevaluation focusing on phylogenetic relationships and morphological characterization of Tubeufiales, especially those helicosporous hyphomycetes which are difficult to identify. Based on evidence from DNA sequence data and morphology, we introduce 13 new genera in the family Tubeufiaceae, viz. Acanthotubeufia, Dematiohelicoma, Dematiohelicomyces, Dematiohelicosporum, Dematiotubeufia, Helicoarctatus, Helicohyalinum, Helicotruncatum, Neochlamydotubeufia, Neohelicoma, Pleurohelicosporium, Pseudohelicomyces and Pseudohelicoon; transfer Chaetosphaerulina from Dothideomycetes genera incertae sedis, and Artocarpomyces and Helicodochium from Ascomycetes genera incertae sedis into Tubeufiaceae; introduce 52 new species, viz. Berkleasmium fusiforme, B. longisporum, Chlamydotubeufia cylindrica, Dematiohelicosporum guttulatum, Helicoarctatus aquaticus, Helicodochium aquaticum, Helicohyalinum infundibulum, Helicoma aquaticum, H. brunneisporum, H. cocois, H. rufum, H. fusiforme, H. longisporum, H. multiseptatum, H. rubriappendiculatum, H. septoconstrictum, H. tectonae, Helicomyces hyalosporus, Helicosporium aquaticum, H. flavisporum, H. setiferum, H. vesicarium, H. viridiflavum, Neochlamydotubeufia fusiformis, Neohelicomyces hyalosporus, Neohelicosporium acrogenisporum, N. astrictum, N. ellipsoideum, N. irregulare, N. krabiense, N. laxisporum, N. ovoideum, Pleurohelicosporium parvisporum, Pseudohelicomyces aquaticus, P. hyalosporus, Tubeufia abundata, T. bambusicola, T. brevis, T. brunnea, T. chlamydospora, T. dictyospora, T. eccentrica, T. fangchengensis, T. hechiensis, T. inaequalis, T. krabiensis, T. rubra, T. sessilis, T. sympodihylospora, T. sympodilaxispora, T. taiwanensis and T. tratensis; provide 43 new combinations, viz. Acanthohelicospora guianensis, Acanthotubeufia filiforme, Berkleasmium aquatica, B. guangxiense, B. latisporum, B. thailandicum, Dematiohelicoma perelegans, D. pulchrum, Dematiohelicomyces helicosporus, Dematiotubeufia chiangraiensis, Helicohyalinum aquaticum, Helicoma elinorae, H. gigasporum, H. hongkongense, H. linderi, H. nematosporum, H. pannosum, H. serpentinum, Helicomyces chiayiensis, Helicotruncatum palmigenum, Neochlamydotubeufia khunkornensis, Neohelicoma fagacearum, Neohelicomyces pallidus, Neohelicosporium abuense, N. aurantiellum, N. griseum, N. morganii, N. myrtacearum, N. nizamabadense, N. sympodiophorum, N. taiwanense, N. vesiculiferum, Pseudohelicomyces indicus, P. paludosus, P. talbotii, Pseudohelicoon gigantisporum, P. subglobosum, Tubeufia dentophora, T. geniculata, T. lilliputea, T. machaerinae, T. sympodiophora and T. xylophila; introduce 16 new records, viz. Dictyospora thailandica, Helicomyces colligatus, H. torquatus, Neohelicosporium guangxiense, N. hyalosporum, N. parvisporum, Thaxteriellopsis lignicola, Tubeufia aquatica, T. chiangmaiensis, T. cylindrothecia, T. filiformis, T. guangxiensis, T. laxispora, T. parvispora, T. roseohelicospora and T. tectonae. The taxonomy of Helicoma, Helicomyces and Helicosporium is revisited based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological evidence. Neorhamphoria is transferred to Bezerromycetaceae. Three species are excluded from the genus Chlamydotubeufia, twelve species from Helicoma, four species from Helicomyces, 25 species from Helicosporium, six species from Neoacanthostigma and one species from Tubeufia. A multi-gene phylogenetic tree based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TEF1α sequence data of species of Tubeufiales is provided. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided, as well as the morphological comparison with similar taxa are explored. The checklist of accepted Tubeufiales species and re-organised Tubeufiales species are provided.