Leptodon

Abstract: Russulales comprises a highly diverse group of species with respect to basidiocarp morphology and hymenophore type. We reconstructed evolutionary histories of Russulales using ITS and nLSU rDNA sequence data with an emphasis on phylogeny of wood-inhabiting hydnoid species in this order. Based on the combination of morphological and molecular evidence, two new genera, three new species and two new combinations are proposed. Dentipellis microspora and D. coniferarum, newly described, were placed outside Hericiaceae but are provisionally treated in Dentipellis due to their morphological similarity to the generic type. Dentipellis leptodon and D. taiwaniana are transferred to the new genus Dentipellicula as D. leptodon and D. taiwaniana, which is designated as the generic type. The new genus Dentipellopsis was erected to accommodate a newly described species D. dacrydicola. Characters are provided in a generic key to distinguish Dentipellicula, Dentipellis and Dentipellopsis that morphologically are highly similar in addition to a key to the current species in Dentipellis. A new species of Gloeodontia was described based on both molecular and morphological data, and a key to this genus also is provided.

Abstract: We isolated and characterized a total of 16 microsatellite loci in Leptodea leptodon. Loci were screened in 24 individuals from across the species current range in Missouri. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 17, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.208 to 1.000, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.014 to 0.67. These new loci will be used for conducting investigations into the genetic structure and diversity of extant populations of this federally endangered species.

Abstract: Three new specimens of the walrus-like dolphin Odobenocetops from the Pliocene of Peru, shed new light on the anatomy and adaptive strategies of this unique Cetacean. Odobenocetops leptodon nov. sp. is represented by a skull, which bears a 1 35-cm-long needle-like right tusk and a small 25-cm-long left tusk the apex of which was erupted. The long tusk was probably held almost parallel to the axis of the body when swimming. In contrast to O. peruvianus, O. leptodon probably had a small melon and, therefore, echolocation ability, but had reduced (or no) binocular vision. A skull of O. peruvianus with two small tusks similar in size is referred to a female.