Though most of the lichenicolous fungi belong to the Ascomycetes, their phylogenetic placement based on molecular data is lacking for numerous species. In this study the phylogenetic placement of 19 species of lichenicolous fungi was determined using four loci (LSU rDNA, SSU rDNA, ITS rDNA and mtSSU). The phylogenetic analyses revealed that the studied lichenicolous fungi are widespread across ...

Calcareous sponges (Phylum Porifera, Class Calcarea) are known to be taxonomically difficult. Previous molecular studies have revealed many discrepancies between classically recognized taxa and the observed relationships at the order, family and genus levels; these inconsistencies question underlying hypotheses regarding the evolution of certain morphological characters. Therefore, we extended ...

The Palaeacanthocephala is traditionally represented by 2 orders, Echinorhynchida and Polymorphida, with 10 and 3 families, respectively. To test the monophyly of the class, these 2 orders, and certain families, phylogenies were inferred using nuclear small-subunit (SSU) and large-subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA sequences obtained for 29 species representing 10 families, 2 other classes of acanthoc...

Group I introns that encode homing endonuclease genes (HEGs) are highly invasive genetic elements. Their movement into a homologous position in an intron-less allele is termed homing. Although the mechanism of homing is well understood, the evolutionary relationship between HEGs and their intron partners remains unclear. Here we have focused on the largest family of HEGs (encoding the protein m...

New specimens of the kleptoplastidal dinoflagellate Gymnodinium eucyaneum Hu were collected in China. We investigated the systematics of the dinoflagellate and the origin of its endosymbiont based on light morphology and phylogenetic analyses using multiple DNA sequences. Cells were dorsoventrally flattened with a sharply acute hypocone and a hemispherical epicone. The confusion between G. eucy...

Species-specific probes against cytoplasmic rRNA and nuclear rDNA of Heterosigma akashiwo were designed on the basis of LSU and ITS sequences. FISH protocols for whole cell and nuclear were established to detect this alga. The results showed that the rRNA-targeted probe hybridized with cytoplasmic rRNA, showing strong green fluorescence throughout the whole cell, while cells labeled by rDNA-tar...

Lithophyllum okamurae has been widely reported in the Pacific Ocean with identification based on morpho-anatomical observations. Two infraspecific taxa, L. f. and angulare, described from Japan, have recorded temperate region of Japan. We assessed branched samples morphologically referable to using data DNA sequences (psbA, rbcL partial LSU rDNA) obtained herbarium specimens, including type mat...

The purpose of this study was to identify new species of Parastagonospora in association with poaceous plants in Iran. Symptomatic leaves and ears were collected from different poaceous species in the field from provinces including Fars, Khuzestan and Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad. In the present research, 12 isolates based on morphological characteristics and sequencing of LSU and ITS-rDN...