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Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum Retzius) is an ericaceae widely distributed in North America. The leaves and twigs were used in Native American traditional medicine to treat several inflammatory pathologies such as asthma, rheumatisms and burns. Reactive oxygen species as well as reactive nitrogen species such as nitric oxide (NO) contribute significantly to these pathologies. In this study, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of crude methanol extracts of leaves and twigs from Ledum groenlandicum were investigated. Both extracts showed a strong antioxidant activity using the ORAC method and a cell based-assay. Moreover, the twig and leaf extracts showed significant anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting NO release, respectively, by 28 and 17% at 25 microg/ml in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In comparison, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, reduced NO release by 24% at 25 microg/ml. The twig extract was also found to be active against DLD-1 colon carcinoma and A-549 lung carcinoma cells, with IC(50) values of 43+/-1 and 65+/-8 microg/ml, respectively. The bioguided study of the twig extract resulted in the isolation and identification of ursolic acid, a known triterpene. Ursolic acid was active against DLD-1 (IC(50): 9.3+/-0.3 microM) and A-549 (IC(50): 8.9+/-0.2 microM), suggesting it is, in part, responsible of the anticancer activity of the twig extract.

Poor growth of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) has been associated with the presence of Ledum groenlandicum L. (Ledum) on some sites in the eastern boreal forest in Canada. To increase black spruce productivity on lowland sites, a study was carried out to test the effect of mechanical control of Ledum (by clipping) on black spruce growth on forested peatland in northwestern Quebec. We compared the growth and foliar nutrient concentrations of advance-regeneration black spruce seedlings with and without Ledum control. Contrary to our expectations, our results showed that 3-year control of aboveground competition by Ledum decreased rather than increased black spruce growth and had no effect on foliar nutrient concentrations. Ledum grows on a variety of site types; therefore, the mere presence of this species does not necessarily indicate that there will be a problem with conifer regeneration (growth and germination).

The composition of the essential oil of Ledum groenlandicum Retzius was investigated. This oil was obtained by steam distillation (hydrodistillatio

Les produits naturels sont reconnus depuis longtemps comme une source de medicaments importante. Par exemple, entre 1940 et 2002, 40% des nouveaux anticancereux etaient d'origine naturelle ou derivee de produit naturel. Jusqu'a maintenant moins de 10 % des especes du regne vegetal ont ete testees pour leur activite biologique. La plupart des especes vegetales de la foret boreale n'ont jamais fait l'objet d'etudes approfondies sur les produits naturels bioactifs. Pourtant, les amerindiens utilisaient plusieurs de ces plantes pour traiter des maux tres varies. Le Ledum groendlandicum {L. groenlandicum) est une de ces especes et etait utilise pour traiter differentes pathologies impliquant des mecanismes d'oxydation ou d'inflammation comme l'asthme, les rhumatismes et les brulures. Les especes reactives de l'oxygene et de l'azote contribuent significativement a ces pathologies. Malheureusement, tres peu d'etudes scientifiques ont ete effectuees pour demontrer l'activite biologique de cette plante. Dans ce travail, les activites antioxydante, anti-inflammatoire et anticancereuse d'extraits methanoliques des branches et des feuilles de cette espece ont ete evaluees. Les deux extraits ont montre une activite antioxydante determinee avec le test ORAC et un test sur cellule. De plus, les extraits ont demontre une activite anti-inflammatoire significative en inhibant le relâchement d'oxyde nitrique par 28% pour les tiges et par 17% pour les feuilles (25 ug/ml) dans les macrophages de souris (RAW 264.7) stimule au LPS ce qui est comparable a l'effet du N-omega-nitro-L-arginine, un inhibiteur de l'oxyde nitrique synthetase, a une dose similaire. L'extrait de branche a aussi demontre une activite anticancereuse significative avec une IC50 de 43±1 ^g/ml sur les carcinomes du colon (DLD-1) et de 65±8 ug/ml sur l'adenocarcinome du poumon (A-549). Une isolation guidee par l'activite anticancereuse a permis d'isoler un triterpene bien connu, l'acide ursolique. Cette molecule etait active contre les DLD-1 (IC50: 9,3 ± 0,3 |^M) et contre les A-549 (IC50: 8,9 ± 0,2 uM) suggerant qu'elle serait responsable, du moins en partie, de l'activite anticancereuse de l'extrait de branches de L. groenlandicum.

Cette recherche portant sur l'analyse de l'huile essentielle du Ledum groenlandicum Retzius (the du Labrador ou ledon du Groenland) avait comme objectif l'evaluation de la productivite de cette espece vegetale en terme d'huile essentielle de meme que l'identification des constituants de cette huile. L'etude de l'huile essentielle du the du Labrador a donc ete effectuee selon les differentes parties de la plante (plante entiere, fleurs, feuilles, jeunes pousses, tiges et graines) de meme qu'en fonction de la periode de vegetation (pour la plante entiere). Les huiles ont ete analysees par chromatographie en phase gazeuse (CPGCC) et par spectrometrie de masse (CG-SM) afin d'en determiner la composition chimique et le rendement. D'autres parametres, tels l'indice de refraction, le pouvoir rotatoire et la masse volumique ont egalement ete mesures. Les methodes d'extraction par hydrodistillation et par hydrodiffusion qui ont permis d'obtenir l'huile essentielle, ont ete comparees. L'evolution de la qualite de l'huile en cours d'extraction a egalement ete etudiee. La composition de l'huile essentielle du the du Labrador depend de plusieurs parametres. Parmi ces facteurs, la composition est fonction en particulier : - de la partie de la plante soumise a l'entrainement a la vapeur: - de la date de cueillette de l'arbuste; - et probablement du site de cueillette; La concentration de la germacrone en particulier semble associee a la formation des jeunes pousses pendant la periode de floraison, le limonene aux fleurs et un sesquiterpene non-determine (possiblement du germacrene-B) a la croissance des graines ou des bourgeons terminaux en debut de saison. La composition chimique de l'huile essentielle depend assez peu de la methodologie d'extraction. De plus, elle evolue lentement au cours de la distillation, les produits les plus lourds devenant preponderant en fin d'extraction. Le temps requis pour l'extraction en usine-pilote semble relativement long par rapport aux autres especes etant superieur a cinq heures. L'analyse chimique de l'huile essentielle du the du Labrador a montre que ses principaux composes sont des hydrocarbures terpeniques et sesquiterpeniques. Le sabinene, les a- et B-pinenes, le a-humulene, les a- et B-selinenes, le germacrene-B? (sous reserve d'identification) et la germacrone sont les produits majeurs. L'existence du germacrene-B dans l'huile essentielle du ledon du Groenland est interessante en raison, semble-t-il, de sa presence inhabituelle dans la nature (l).

Ledum groenlandicum, Labrador tea, is an ericaceous evergreen shrub of acidic, wet areas common to northern regions of North America. The range has historically been reported as far south as northern New Jersey (Britton and Brown 1897; Gleason and Cronquist 1991). Reports and herbarium vouchers intimated that this species was restricted to Morris and Sussex Counties. However, the latest New Jersey Natural Heritage ranking for L. groenlandicum in Morris County is SX. -species that have been determined or are presumed to be extirpated, documented from a single location (NJ Natural Heritage Program 1999). Hough (1983) stated "verified Morris County site 1977, recently reported destroyed." The Morris County's occurrences are well documented for the single location between Dover and Mount Hope. This area was a larch swamp discovered by Mr. M. E. Palmer, a Budd Lake resident who with Kenneth Mackenzie visited and first collected specimens from this site in 1918, the earliest record: Mackenzie 8390, (CHRB, NY). This area was given the appellation of "Palmer's Bog" by Mackenzie (1918) in his follow-up article. Other vouchers were gathered from approximately the same site: "Dover," 1932, J. L. Edwards 774, (CU); "0.75 miles SSW of Mt. Hope," 1948, J. L. Edwards s.n., (CHRB); "North of Mt. Pleasant Avenue between Mt. Hope and Dover," 1958, Frank Hirst 43, (PH). No vouchers were found for Morris County at BKL, GH, NYS, SIM, or YU (herbaria abbreviations based on Holmgren, et al., 1990). Unfortunately, this Morris County location experienced vast disturbance, including housing, construction of Interstate 80, and shopping malls that obliterated all trace of the larch swamp and

Alpine populations of Ledum groenlandicum Oeder have higher photosynthetic rates and appear to achieve maximum photosynthesis at lower temperatures than bog populations. These photosynthetic differences presumably adapt alpine populations to the shorter seasons, lower carbon dioxide concentrations, and lower temperatures experienced in alpine environments, and they agree with similar patterns observed in other species which grow at a range of elevations. Reciprocal transplant experiments show that the differences in photosynthetic characters are correlated with differences in the relative fitnesses of bog and alpine plants in bog and alpine environments. See full-text article at JSTOR

Ledum groenlandicum Gunn., a species that is sometimes cultivated in gardens in the Netherlands, was found in the marsh vegetation of the Amstelveense Poel, a pool near Amstelveen, prov. N.— Holland.

Temperature-related photosynthetic and respiratory acclimation responses were examined in alpine, subarctic, and bog populations of Ledum groenlandicum Oeder, a widespread ericaceous shrub species. Acclimation responses to temperature were measured both after 12- to 16-week exposures to either cool (15? C light - 10?C dark) or warm (30?C light - 25?C dark) thermal regimes and again after each of a series of 2-week exposures to new thermal regimes. Dark respiratory rates were decreased by warm acclimation and increased by cool acclimation. These shifts in rates were frequently completed within 2 weeks in a new thermal regime. Maximal net photosynthetic rates generally did not differ significantly among either populations or thermal regimes; however, the temperature for maximal net photosynthesis in each population was increased to 25?C by warm acclimation and decreased to 20?C by cool acclimation. Net photosynthetic rates were increased at cool temperatures by cool acclimation and increased at warm temperatures by warm acclimation. In contrast to respiratory responses, these photosynthetic acclimation shifts were not completed within 2 weeks in a new thermal regime. Ledum groenlandicum populations differed markedly in their potentials for net photosynthetic and dark respiratory acclimation. Alpine and subarctic populations acclimated to greater degrees than their continental and maritime bog counterparts.

Divers types de buttes organiques de taille décimétrique à métrique, non encore décrites, ont été observés sur la Côte-Nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent entre Sept-Îles et Blanc-Sablon. Les unes sont entièrement organiques, d'autres ont un noyau minéral constitué d'un bloc erratique. Certaines buttes sont composées de débris organiques peu à moyennement décomposés, en particulier des débris d'éricacées et des bryophytes dont principalement des sphaignes. D'autres sont composées d'une "tourbe" ligneuse et sèche. Sur les premières, le couvert végétal comprend Kalmia augustifolia, Rhododendron canadense, Ledum groenlandicum, Vaccinium spp., des sphaignes et des lichens. Sur les secondes, on trouve en surface Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium spp., Ledum groenlandicum, Rubus chamaemorus et des lichens (Cladonia spp. et Cladina spp.). Les buttes forment tantôt des champs ouverts, tantôt des complexes où elles sont très rapprochées. On les trouve généralement sur des versants de pente faible à modérée, relativement bien drainés. Plusieurs se sont développées directement sur le substrat rocheux; quelques-unes sont sur du till, des plages sablo-graveleuses ou sur des dunes. Les buttes ne sont pas gelées en été et ne ressemblent en rien aux palses. Dans la plupart des sites, elles semblent s'être développées après feu. Le mode de formation paraît lié à l'accumulation différentielle sur place de débris organiques à partir d'îlots de végétation, en particulier des éricacées, dont Kalmia augustifolia. Certaines buttes avec un bloc erratique pourraient résulter en partie du soulèvement de pierres par le gel. D'autres buttes à contenu organique ligneux se seraient développées sur place en raison de l'humidité ambiante. L'âge des buttes est postérieur à 3000 ans BP. Plusieurs se sont développées après 1500 ans. Le taux d'accumulation de la matière organique estimé pour certaines buttes varie de 0,38 à 3 mm par année., Various types of small organic mounds about 100 cm in size were observed on the North Shore of the Gulf of the St. Lawrence between Sept-Îles and Blanc-Sablon. Some are entirely composed of organic debris, others have a boulder core. The smallest are 40 to 50 cm high, the largest, 150 to 175 cm, and medium size ranges from 75 to 90 cm. Diameter at the base ranges from 60 to 225 cm. Many mounds are made of little to moderately decomposed organic matter especially debris of ericaceous species and sphagnum; other mounds are made of a dry ligneous peat. In the first category, the plant cover is composed of Kalmia augustifolia, Rhododendron canadense, Ledum groenlandicum, Vaccinium spp., Sphagnum spp., and lichens. In the second category, Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium spp., Ledum groenlandicum., Rubus Chamaemorus and lichens (Cladonia spp. and Cladina spp.) are the most common species found. Small fields of organic mounds as well as isolated mounds occur on gently to moderately dipping slopes usually, well drained. Several mounds are developed on bedrock, while others occurred on till, sand and sandy-gravelly beaches. No evidence of frost was observed in summer. These organic mounds are morphologically different from palsas. They seem to develop after forest fire. The mode of formation appears to be related to differential in situ deposition of organic debris from moss cushions and stands of ericaceous species, particularly Kalmia augustifolia. Frost heaving of stones may be involved in boulder-cored organic mound formation when occurring on till. Mounds composed of dry ligneous peat may have formed in situ because of the high ambiant humidity. Organic mounds have developed after 3000 years BP; many are younger than 1500 years BP. The rate of peat deposition estimated in a few sites ranges from 0.38 to 3 mm per year., Verschiedene organische Hugel-Typen von Dezimeter- bis Meter-Grôsse, die noch nicht beschrieben worden sind, wurden an der Nordkùste des Sankt-Lorenz-Stroms zwischen Sept-Îles und Blanc-Sablon beobachtet. Einige sind vollkommen organisch, andere haben einen anorganischen Kern, deraus einem erratischen Block besteht. Die kleinsten sind 40 bis 50 cm hoch, die mittleren 75 bis 90 cm und die grôssten 150 bis 175 cm. Der Durchmesser an der Basis geht von 60 bis 225 cm. Einige Hugel bestehen aus organischen Trummern, die wenig bis durchschnittlich ausgewittert sind, insbesondere Trummer von Heidekrautgewàchsen und Moorpflanzen, darunter vor allem Torfmoos. Andere wiederum bestehen vor allem aus holzigem trockenem Tort. Die Hugel bilden zum Teil offene Felder, zum Teil Zusammenhange, die sich beruhren. Im allgemeinen findet man sie auf Hàngen mit schwacher bis mâssiger Neigung, die relativ gut entwassert sind. Mehrere haben sich direkt auf dem Fels-Substrat gebildet; einige sind auf Till, Sand-Kies-Strânden oder auf Dunen. Die Hugel sind im Sommer nicht vereist und gleichen in nichts den Palsen. An den meisten Platzen scheinen sie sich nach einem Feuer entwickelt zu haben. Ihre Bildungsweise scheint mit der unterschiedlichen Ansammlung in situ organischer Trùmmer von Vegetatiosinseln, insbesondere Heidekrautgewâchsen, darunter Kalmia augustifolia, verbunden zu sein. Einige Hugel mit einem erratischen Block kônnten z.T. durch das Anheben von Steinen durch den Frost entstanden sein. Andere Hugel mit holzigem organischem Gehalt kônnten sich in situ auf Grund der umgebenden Feuchtigkeit gebildet haben. Die Hugel haben sich nach 3000 v.u.Z. entwickelt.Mehrere sind nach 1500 v.u.Z. entstanden. Die geschàtzte Akkumulationsrate des organischen Materials fur einige Hugel reicht von 0,38mm bis 3mm pro Jahr. Manuscrit reçu le 5 février 1988; manuscrit révisé accepté le 30 mai 1988

Lodgepole pine/Labrador tea (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia/Ledum groenlandicum Oeder) relevés were classified and characterized based on data from archival sources (n = 428). Eleven forest communities were recognized and were distinguished by the relative dominance of Sphagnum, Cladina and Cladonia, Lycopodium, Vaccinium species, or feathermosses. Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP was the common secondary successional species. Most paired-community comparisons were nonoverlapping in ordination space, although intermingling sometimes occurred along interfaces. Lodgepole pine/Labrador tea stands occurred on upland sites within the boreal–cordilleran ecoclimatic transition zone along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains from southwestern Alberta to the southern Yukon Territory. Nine communities had mesic to subhygric moisture and submesotrophic to mesotrophic nutrient regimes. The exceptions were a Pinus contorta/Ledum groenlandicum/Sphagnum (wetter sites) and a Pinus contorta/Ledum groenlandicum/Cladina mitis (drier sites) community. An inverse correlation occurred between latitudinal location and elevation of occurrence (r = –0.56, P < 0.001, n = 403) with a northward decline of 65 m/100 km. The concept of a "type community" is proposed for formally documenting the composition of plant communities and optimizing the comparability of different types. Eight of the recognized communities fulfilled the proposed criteria for a type community and two were considered provisional types.Key words: vegetation classification, Pinus contorta, Ledum groenlandicum, type community.

Iteaphila miranda sp. nov. (Figs 61, 71) urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: F3E3E5AE-D93B-4B40-BD6D-16FC364BE3DE Type material. HOLOTYPE &male;, labelled: ��� 8km E.Sicamous [50��53���N 118��54���W], B.C. [Canada]/ 1-VI-1992 / A. Borkent CD1418���; ��� HOLOTYPE / Iteaphila / miranda/ Sinclair & Shamshev [red label]��� (CNC). PARATYPES: CANADA. Alberta: Banff NP [51.5��N 116.0��W], 14 mi W Banff, 7.vii.1955, GES ex. flowers of Ledum groenlandicum (2 &male;, 2 &female;, CNC); Lake Louise [51��24���42���N 116��13���41���W], 29.vii.1935, ALM (1 &male;, USNM); Peter Lougheed PP, Sarrail Ck, 9.vii.2012, 50��36���25.7���N 115��7���48.61���W, ex. flowers, BJS (2 &female;, CNC), same data except, CNC197577, CNC197575 (1 &male;, 1 &female;, barcoded, CNC). British Columbia: Cathedral PP, Quiniscoe Lk. [49��02���59���N 120��13���50���W], 7.vii.1986, S.G. Cannings (1 &male;, UBCZ). USA. Colorado: Gunnison Co., Spring Ck Cpgd [38��44���56���N 106��46���00���W], 5 mi N Almont, 5.vi.1992, JFM (1 &male;, CNC); Gunnison Co., Spring Ck Cpgd, 10 mi N Almont, 5.vi.1992, JFM (1 &female;, CNC); San Juan Co., E Fork Sig Ck, 10200 ft, 37��39���10���N 107��51���57���W, 18.vi.2017, SEB (2 &male;, CNC). Additional material examined. RUSSIA. Chukotka Autonomous Okrug: Anadyr River, 64.72��N 175.21��E, 25.vi.���19.vii.2014, A. Barkalov (1 &male;, ZIN). USA. Washington: Mt. Rainier NP, Westside Rd nr Fish Ck, 4.vii. 2013, 880 m, 46��46.743���N 121��53.069���W, BJS (1 &female;, CNC). Recognition. This species is distinguished by the elongate and dorsally directed surstylus and sickle-shaped phallus (Fig. 61). Description. Wing length 3.2���4.0 mm. Male. Head dark brown in ground-colour, with brown to black setation, occiput thinly to densely greyish pollinose. Eyes holoptic, with upper ommatidia enlarged. Frons represented by small triangular space just above antennae, bare, greyish pollinose. Ocellar triangle prominent, with 2 pairs of long hair-like setae. Postvertical setae subequal to postocular setae, thin; occiput covered with numerous similar setae in lower part, brown posterior to mouthparts. Antenna dark brown; scape subequal in length with globular pedicel, both with short setae; postpedicel rather narrow, nearly 4 times longer than basal width, gradually tapered, base not expanded; stylus ca subequal in length and width, sensillum-tipped; segment 9 no longer than wide, apical sensillum slightly longer than length of segment 9. Proboscis partially retracted in head, longer than head height, projected obliquely; palpus slender, projected parallel to labrum, somewhat shorter than labrum. Thorax dark brown in ground-colour with posterior part of postpronotal lobe and postalar tubercle often slightly paler, with brown to black setation; scutum viewed dorsally entirely velvety brown, slightly matt, without vittae between acrostichal and dorsocentral setae; viewed anteriorly densely pruinose; mesopleuron uniformly greyish brown pollinose. Proepisternum with a few hair-like setae. Postpronotal lobe with 1���2 long thin and several shorter setae. Mesonotal setae distinct, thin; acr short, biserial, lacking on prescutellar depression, distance between rows narrower than length of acr; dc uniserial (with additional setulae in anterior part), offset from row anteriorly, slightly longer than acr, 2���3 distinct prescutellar dc; 1 ph, several presut spal, 5���6 npl (with a few additional shorter setae), several psut spal setulae, 1 pal, 6���9 pairs of sctl of various lengths. Legs, including coxae, almost entirely brownish; knees of fore and mid legs brownish yellow, tarsi somewhat darker. Coxae and trochanters with unmodified hair-like setae. Fore femur with row of short anteroventral hairlike setae and somewhat longer setae on posteroventral, dorsal and posterior faces. Fore tibia with row of slightly prominent thin posterodorsal setae. Mid femur with moderately long posteroventral bristly setae along entire length, bearing some moderately long setae on dorsal and posterior faces. Hind femur with long anteroventral and dorsal setae along whole length. Mid and hind tibiae without prominent setae. Tarsomere 1 of mid and hindlegs with pair of rows of stiff ventral setae; tarsomere 5 not flattened on all legs; pulvilli broad, shorter than tarsal claw. Wing distinctly uniformly brownish infuscate; basal costal seta absent; pterostigma distinct brownish, elliptical, overlapping apex of R 1; anal lobe very prominent, acute. Sc complete; R 2+3 often slightly bowed posterior to pterostigma; R 4+5 unbranched; cell dm broad, longer than basal cells, truncate apically; base of M 2 (crossvein) more than one-fourth length of dm-m, M branches widely separated; dm-m crossvein slightly concave. Apex of cell cua recurved, CuA+CuP long, pigmented, ending short of wing margin. Halter brown. Abdomen brown, subshiny, finely brownish grey pollinose, covered with long pale setae. Terminalia (Fig. 61) concolorous with abdomen, aligned. Hypandrium with several long setae, rounded basally, shallowly arched posteriorly; apex bifid, deeply split along posterior face; gonocoxal apodeme short and rounded apically; inner apodeme expanded and flattened, subequal in length to ejaculatory apodeme; postgonite with broad base, bent at near right angle subapically into paired projections. Phallic guide much shorter than phallus, extended to apex of hypandrium and mostly membranous apically, with ragged margin. Epandrium not inflated laterally; dorsal bridge very narrow medially; dorsal margin with row of strong setae, nearly as long as width of epandrium; produced distally into long, dorsally directed surstylus, nearly as long as cercus, strongly sclerotized, arched apically. Phallus projecting upright well beyond epandrium, apex sickle-shaped and well sclerotized, with hooked apex; ejaculatory apodeme plate-like, rounded, very short, not extending beyond base of epandrium. Cercus long, three-quarters length of epandrium, gradually tapered to long nipple-like apex, extended free from epandrium; hypoproct divided apically into pair of long narrow processes. Female. Similar to male, except as follows: Chaetotaxy shorter and darker than male; eyes dichoptic; ommatidia equally small. Frons very broad, somewhat widened toward ocellar tubercle, finely brownish grey pollinose, with marginal setulae. Scutellum usually with 5 pairs of setae. Legs yellowish brown, darker apically. Abdomen pale brown with shorter, less prominent brownish setae. Cercus brownish, long, slender, covered with dark setae. Distribution. Holarctic: Eurasia: Russia (Chukotka Autonomous Okrug); North America: Canada (Alberta, British Columbia), USA (Colorado,? Washington). This species is known primarily from the Rocky and Columbia Mountains with western populations in the Cascade Range of North America (Fig. 71). In addition, it is found from Chukotka mainland of Russia (not plotted). Etymology. The specific name is after the Latin, mirandus (wonderful, strange), in reference to the uniquely upright and elongate surstylus of this species., Published as part of Sinclair, Bradley J. & Shamshev, Igor V., 2021, World revision of Iteaphila with unbranched radial vein (Diptera: Empidoidea: Iteaphilidae), pp. 1-89 in Zootaxa 4968 (1) on pages 64-65, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4968.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4745566

Iteaphila recta sp. nov. (Figs 23, 26) urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 2E3BBA8D-4C53-4C3C-9F02-C379E800FF22 Type material. HOLOTYPE &male;, labelled: “CAN: AB: Peter Lougheed/ PP, Ptarmigan Cirque Tr./ 10.vii.2012, 2208– 2366 m / N50°35.046′;W114°59.35′/ B.J. Sinclair ”; “ HOLOTYPE / Iteaphila / recta/ Sinclair & Shamshev [red label]” (CNC). PARATYPES: CANADA. Alberta: Banff [51.5°N 116.0°W], 12.vii.1922, C.B.D. Garrett (1 &female;, CNC); Banff, Sulphur Mt. [51°08′41″N 115°34′30″W], 5000–7000 ft, 24.vii.1925, ex. choke cherry, O. Bryant (11 &female;, CAS); Banff NP [51.5°N 116.0°W], 14 mi W Banff, Ledum groenlandicum, 7 and 15.vii.1955, GES (4 &female;, CNC); Banff NP, Sunwapt Pass [52°12′50″N 117°09′34″W], 6700 ft, 9.vii.1955, GES (1 &female;, CNC); Banff NP, Bow Pass [51°42′58″N 116°30′11″W], 17.vii.1955, R. Coyles (1 &male;, 4 &female;, CNC); same data as holotype (23 &male;, 2 &female;, CNC); same data except, CNC197580, CNC197581 (1 &male;, 1 &female;, barcoded, CNC); 8 kmW Lake Louise, 31.v.1992, AB (30 &male;, 5 &female;, CNC); same data except, CNC161432 (1 &male;, barcoded, CNC); Lake Louise, Plain of Six Glaciers [51°23′51″N 116°15′46″W], 2.vii.1993, PHA & M.M. Arnaud (4 &male;, USNM); Peter Lougheed PPk, Sarrail Ck, 9.vii.2012, ex. flowers, 50°36′25.7″N 115°7′48.61″W, BJS (9 &female;, CNC); same data except, CNC197576 (1 &female;, barcoded, CNC). British Columbia: Glacier NP, Rogers Pass [51°16′35″N 117°30′25″W], 30.vi.1968, W.W. Wirth (1 &male;, USNM); Lisadele Lk., 58°41′N 133°04′W, 4000 ft, 9–11.vii.1960, R. Pilfrey (2 &male;, 10 &female;, CNC); same data except, 7– 9.vii.1960, WWM (1 &male;, 7 &female;, CNC); Mt. Revelstoke NP, Miller-Eva Lakes [51°04′52″N 118°06′35″W], 6300 ft, 13.vii.1952, GJS (10 &male;, CNC); Eva Lk. trail, 6000 ft, 13.vii.1952, G.P. Holland (5 &male;, CNC); same data except, 9.vii.1952, GJS (2 &male;, 1 &female;, CNC); Mt. Revelstoke, 2–25.vii.1952, GJS (2 &male;, 15 &female;, CNC); 11 km SW Salmon Arm [50°42′8″N 119°16′20″W], 28.v.1992, AB, CNC161433 (1 &male;, barcoded, CNC); Manning Pk [49°4′N 120°47′W], 1900 m, 27.vi.1984, R. Danielsson (1 &male;, 2 &female;, MZLU); Manning Pk, 29.vi.1973, H.J. Teskey (1 &male;, CNC); Summit Lk, mi 392 Alaska Hwy [58°39′6″N 124°39′4″W], 18–27.vi.1959, REL (8 &female;, CNC); same data except, 19.vi., 26–27.vi.1959, E.E. MacDougall (3 &female;, CNC). Yukon: Rampart House [67°25′26″N 140°59′00″W], 2.vi.1951, J.E.H. Martin (2 &male;, 1 &female;, CNC). USA. Alaska: Juneau [58.32°N 134.41°W], 1.v.2006, bog, Coptis aspleniifolia, M. Willson (2 &female;, FSL). Colorado: Boulder Co., Corona Pass [39°56′03″N 105°40′58″W], 6.vii.1961, JGC (1 &male;, 2 &female;, CNC); Grand Co., Fraser [39°56′39″N 105°48′48″W], 9500 ft, 7.vii.1961, JGC (1 &male;, CNC); Mt. Evans, Timberline [39°38′47″N 105°35′26″W], 11600 ft, 11.vii.1961, CHM (1 &female;, CNC); Niwot Ridge [40°03′51″N 105°35′21″W] nr Ward, 11500 ft, 28.vi., 4.vii.1961, CHM (7 &male;, 5 &female;, CNC). Montana: Gallatin Co., Gallatin Range, Windy Pass [45°15′55″N 111°6′5″W], 14.vii.1968, M.A. Deyrup (1 &male;, 1 &female;, CUIC). Utah: Garfield Co., 15 km N Boulder [40°61′39″N 105°16′39″W], 20.vi.1994, JFM (1 &male;, 1 &female;, CNC). Wyoming: Centennial [41°17′53″N 106°8′15″W], 2.vii.1936, I.H. Blake (1 &male;, AMNH); Yellowstone NP, 5 mi W Canyon [44°44′7″N 110°29′17″W], 28.vi.1984, JFM (5 &male;, 5 &female;, CNC). Recognition. This species is distinguished from similar species (with the distinctly expanded base of the postpedicel) by an elongate phallus that extends well beyond the epandrium between the cerci (Fig. 23). Description. Wing length 3.3–4.2 mm. Male. Head dark brown in ground-colour, with brown to black setation, occiput thinly to densely greyish pollinose. Eyes holoptic, with upper ommatidia enlarged. Frons represented by small triangular space just above antennae, bare, greyish pollinose. Ocellar triangle prominent, with 2 pairs of hairlike setae, anterior pair longer than posterior pair. Postvertical setae subequal with postocular setae, thin; occiput covered with numerous similar setae in lower part. Antenna dark brown; scape short, slightly shorter than globular pedicel, both with short setae; postpedicel rather narrow, parallel-sided, nearly 3 times longer than basal width, base distinctly expanded; stylus ca 2.5 times longer than wide, sensillum-tipped; segment 9 tubular, 2 times longer than wide, apical sensillum about two-thirds length of segment 9. Proboscis medium-length, projected obliquely; labium distinctly shorter than head height; palpus projected parallel to labrum, robust with expanded apex, shorter than labrum. Thorax dark brown in ground-colour with posterior part of postpronotal lobe and postalar tubercle paler, with brown to black setation; scutum viewed dorsally subshiny, with 2 indistinct pale pruinescent vittae between acrostichal and dorsocentral setae; viewed anteriorly densely brown pruinose, with 2 indistinct paler vittae; mesopleuron uniformly greyish brown pollinose. Proepisternum with a few hair-like setae. Postpronotal lobe with 1 long thin and several shorter setae. Mesonotal setae distinct, thin; acr long, biserial, lacking on prescutellar depression, distance between rows shorter than length of acr; dc uniserial (with some additional setulae in anterior part), offset from row anteriorly, slightly longer than acr, 2–3 distinct prescutellar dc; 1 ph, 1 presut spal (with additional setulae), 4–5 npl (with a few additional shorter setae), several psut spal setulae, 1 pal and several short setulae, 5–6 pairs of sctl. Legs, including coxae, almost entirely brownish; knees of fore and mid legs brownish yellow, tarsi somewhat darker. Coxae and trochanters with unmodified hair-like setae. Fore femur with row of short anteroventral hair-like setae and somewhat longer setae on posteroventral, dorsal and posterior faces. Mid femur with moderately long posteroventral bristly setae along entire length, bearing some moderately long setae on dorsal and posterior faces. Hind femur with long anteroventral and dorsal setae along whole length. Tibiae without prominent setae. Tarsomere 1 of all legs with pair of rows of stiff ventral setae; tarsomere 5 not flattened on all legs; pulvilli broad, shorter than tarsal claw. Wing distinctly uniformly brownish infuscate; basal costal seta absent; pterostigma distinct brownish, elliptical, overlapping apex of R 1; anal lobe very prominent, acute. Sc complete; R 2+3 often slightly bowed posterior to pterostigma; R 4+5 unbranched; cell dm broad, longer than basal cells, truncate apically; base of M 2 (crossvein) one-third or less length of dm-m, M branches widely separated; dm-m crossvein slightly concave. Apex of cell cua recurved, CuA+CuP long, ending short of wing margin as faint line. Halter brown. Abdomen brown, subshiny, finely brownish grey pollinose, covered with long brownish setae. Terminalia (Fig. 23) slightly darker than abdomen, small. Hypandrium with several long setae, rounded, upcurved strongly at midlength, narrow and tapered, with narrow, bifid apex, bearing row of teeth-like projections along posterior margin; gonocoxal apodeme long and broad; inner apodeme expanded and flattened, shorter than ejaculatory apodeme; postgonite very short, subtriangular. Phallic guide not extended beyond epandrium, parallel and shorter than phallus, without bent apical section. Epandrium not inflated laterally; dorsal bridge broad, one third length of epandrium; produced distally into short, slender dorsally projecting surstylus; apex of surstylus with pointed projection medially. Phallus slender, arched well beyond epandrium, directed between cerci, without subapical bend; apex slightly expanded posteriorly; ejaculatory apodeme plate-like, rounded, slightly shorter than length of gonocoxal apodeme. Cercus short, digitiform, one-third length of epandrium; apex rounded, extended free from epandrium; hypoproct produced into pair of very short processes, slightly projecting beyond epandrium. Female. Similar to male, except as follows:Eyes dichoptic; ommatidia equally small.Frons very broad, somewhat widened toward ocellar tubercle, subshiny, finely brownish grey pollinose, with marginal setulae. Scutellum usually with 5–6 pairs of setae. Legs, including coxae, somewhat paler than male with reduced chaetotaxy. Abdomen somewhat paler with shorter, less prominent setae. Cercus brownish, long, slender, covered with dark setae. Distribution. Nearctic: Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon), USA (Alaska, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming). This species is recorded from Alaska to Colorado, primarily along the Rocky Mountains (Fig. 26). Etymology. The specific name is from the Latin rectus (straight, upright), in reference to the upright, straight phallus that extends beyond the epandrium between the cerci. Remarks. Flowers of Fern-leaf goldthread (Coptis aspleniifolia Salisb., Ranunculaceae) were mostly visited by Iteaphila sp. and I. recta (Willson & Anderson 2007; Sinclair & Shamshev 2012) (Table 4)., Published as part of Sinclair, Bradley J. & Shamshev, Igor V., 2021, World revision of Iteaphila with unbranched radial vein (Diptera: Empidoidea: Iteaphilidae), pp. 1-89 in Zootaxa 4968 (1) on pages 18-21, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4968.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4745566, {"references":["Willson, M. F. & Anderson, E. M. (2007) Natural history of fern-leaf goldthread (Coptis aspleniifolia) in Juneau, Alaska. Northwest Science, 81, 163 - 165. https: // doi. org / 10.3955 / 0029 - 344 X- 81.2.163","Sinclair, B. J. & Shamshev, I. V. (2012) World revision of Iteaphila macquarti group (Diptera: Empididae). Zootaxa, 3561 (1), 1 - 61. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3561.1.1"]}

Iteaphila longipalpis (Melander) comb. nov. (Figs 8, 48, 64) Anthepiscopus longipalpis Melander, 1928: 106. Type locality: Arlington, Washington, USA. Anthepiscopus longipalpis: Melander, 1965: 455. Type material examined. HOLOTYPE &female;, labelled: “Arlington [48°10′52″N 122°8′20″W]/ 5.21.[190]8Was”; “window”; “ TYPE / Anthepiscopus / longipalpis/ Mel. [red label]”; “ALMelander/ Collection/ 1961” (USNM). Additional material examined. CANADA. Alberta: Banff NP [51.5°N 116.0°W], 14 mi W Banff, Ledum groenlandicum, 7.vii.1955, GES (1 &female;, CNC); Banff NP, 26 km N Lk. Louise, trib. Mosquito Ck [51°37′N 116°19′W], 28.vi.1989, BJS (1 &male;, CNC). British Columbia: 37 km W Anahim Lake [52°24′N 125°14′W], 6.vii.1992, A. Borkent (2 &male;, CNC); same data except, 48 km NW, 14.vii.1992 (1 &male;, CNC); Cowichan Lk. [48°49′N 124°02′W], 19.vi.1964, J.A. Clapman (2 &female;, CNC); Cultus Lk. [49°04′N 121°58′W], 24.v.1965, F. Schmid (1 &male;, 1 &female;, CNC); Galiano Is. [48°55′N 123°25′W], Spanish Hills, 29.iv.1979, 9.v.1982, G.G.E. Scudder (3 &female;, UBCZ); Kilimat [54°03′17″N 128°39′28″W], 2.vi.1960, JGC (2 &female;, CNC); same data except, 30.vi.1960, GES (1 &male;, CNC); King Salmon Lk., 58°43′N 132°54′W, 15.vii.1960, R. Pilfrey (1 &female;, CNC); Kitsumkalum Lk. [54°43′22″N 128°46′34″W], 20 mi N Terrace, 31.v., 16.vi.1960, JGC (1 &male;, 1 &female;, CNC); Kleanza Ck [54°36′05″N 128°24′11″W], 14 mi E Terrace, 17.vi., 4.vii.1960, CHM (2 &female;, CNC); same data except, 19.vii.1960, W. R. Richards (2 &female;, CNC); same data except, 29.vi., 4.vii.1960, JGC (1 &female;, CNC); same data except, 17.vi.1960, B. Pilfrey (1 &female;, CNC); Mission City [49°2′30″N 122°14′41″W], 3 and 9.vi.1953, W. R.M. Mason (2 &male;, 1 &female;, CNC); Mt. Allard, 23 mi N Terrace, 11.viii.1960, CHM 1 &female;, CNC); Mt. Thornhill, nr Terrace [54°30′44″N 128°32′18″W], 21.vi., 14.vii.1960, JGC (1 &male;, 7 &female;, CNC); same data except, 14 and 26.vii.1960, B. Heming (1 &male;, 1 &female;, CNC); same data except, 14.vii.1960, CHM (1 &female;, CNC); 8 km E Sicamous [50°53′N 118°54′W], 22.v.1992, AB (1 &female;, CNC); 24 km NE Sicamous, 19.v.1991, AB (1 &female;, CNC); 13 km SE Port Renfrew [48°30′N 124°18′W], 5.vii.1991, AB (4 &female;, CNC); Squamish, Diamond Head Tr. [49°45′N 123°03′W], 4000 ft, 28.viii.1953, GJS (1 &female;, CNC); same data except, 3500 ft, 5.viii.1953, E. Mason (1 &male;, CNC); 10 mi N Terrace, Glacier Ck, 7.vii.1960, JGC (7 &female;, CNC); 32 mi SW Terrace, 4–6.vi.1960, GES (2 &female;, CNC); same data except, 6.vi.1960, R. Pilfrey (1 &female;, CNC); Vancouver Is., Lk. Cowichan, 48°49′N 124°03′W, 28.vi.1983, J.A. Downes (1 &female;, CNC). Yukon: North Fork Crossing, mi 42 Peel Plateau Rd. [64°27′N 138°17′W], 3500 ft, 24.vi.1962, PJS (1 &female;, CNC). USA. Alaska: Isabel Pass [63°12′42″N 145°29′17″W], mi 206 Richardson Hwy, 2900 ft, 15.vi.1962, PJS (1 &female;, CNC); Thane [58°15′51″N 134°19′49″W], 1.viii.1952, WCF (1 &female;, WSU); White Pass [59°28′47″N 135°15′22″W], 10 mi Skagway, 30.vii.1996, PHA & MA (3 &female;, USNM). Oregon: Benton Co., Mary’s Peak Cpgd, Meadow Edge Tr., along Upper Parker Ck, 44°30′32.8″N 123°33′36.0″W, 1077 m, 4.vii.2014, JMC (1 &male;, CNC); Clackamas Co., Mt. Hood NF, Tollgate Cpgd [45°19′21″N 121°54′24″W], 22.vi.1977, DDW (8 &female;, CAS); Clackamas Co., Bruin Run Ck, Camp Ck Cpgd [45°18′16″N 121°52′02″W], 24.vi.1974, PHA (2 &female;, CAS); Clackamas Co., Mt. Hood NF, Still Ck Cpgd, 45°17.703′N 121°44.313′W, 1150 m, 9.vii.2013, BJS (1 &female;, CNC); Marion Co., Silver Falls SP, 23 and 24.vi.1974, PHA (7 &female;, CAS); Marion Co., Willamette NF, French Ck Rd., 44°45.969′N 122°11.211′W, 660 m, 10.vii.2013, BJS (1 &female;, CNC). Washington: Clallam Co., Olympic NF, Klahowya SP [48°03′52″N 124°06′41″W], Soleduck R., 30.vi.1974, PHA (1 &female;, CAS); Clallam Co., Olympic NP, meadow below Sunrise Ridge, Mt. Angeles [47°59′40″N 123°27′59″W], 1550 m, 22 and 24.vii.1978, DDW (4 &male;, CAS); same data except, Lake Creek, 24.vii.1978 (9 &female;, CAS); Clallam Co., Beaver Lk., 5 km NE Sappho, 48°06′51″N 124°14′40″W, 7.vi.2004, C.J. Borkent (4 &female;, CNC); Clallam Co., Olympic NP, nr. Fairholm Cpgd, 48°04′12″N 123°55′7.5″W, 24.vi.2005, C.J. Borkent (1 &female;, LEM); same data except, CNC161443, CNC161444, CNC161445, CNC161446 (1 &male;, 3 &female;, barcoded, LEM); Everett [47°58′45″N 122°12′06″W], 20.vi.1920, A Spuler (6 &female;, WSU); Everett, 19.vi.1920, 4.vii.1924, ALM (1 &male;, 27 &female;, USNM); Ilwaco [46°18′45″N 124°1′47″W], 5.v.1918, ALM (1 &female;, USNM); King Co., Seattle, Issaquah [47°32′8″N 122°2′36″W], 23.vii.1988, R. Danielsson (1 &female;, MZLU); King Co., 5.5 km W Greenwater, nr Federation Forest SP, Jct Hwy 410 & W-6300, 47°09′28″N 121°43′40″W, 515 m, 25.vi.2005, C.J. Borkent (1 &female;, LEM); Lewis Co., trib. Catt Ck, 2847 ft, 46°41′53″N 121°57′46″W, 16.vi.2018, JMC (1 &male;, 1 &female;, CNC); Lewis Co., stream at mi 9 Skate Ck Rd, 2460 ft, 46°43′32.01″N 121°49′51″W, 15.vi.2018, JMC (1 &male;, 2 &female;, CNC); Lewis Co., Knuppenburg Lk., 17 km ENE Packwood, Hwy 12, 1260 m, 46°37′46″N 121°24′57″W, 11.vi.2004, C.J. Borkent (1 &female;, LEM); Mason Co., 16 kmW Lilliwaup, Staircase, Olympic NP, N Fk Skokomish R., 47°31′06″N 123°19′58″W, 280 m, 10.vi.2004, C.J. Borkent (1 &female;, LEM); Mt. Constitution [48°40′39″N 122°49′52″W], 17.v.1910 (2 &female;, UNSM); Mt. Baker, Skyline Tr [48°52′51″N 121°51′52″W], 10.viii.1925, ALM (3 &female;, USNM); Mt. Rainier, Van Trump Ck [46°47′34″N 121°46′33″W],. ix.1917, ALM (1 &female;, USNM); Mt. Rainier NP, nr Cougar Cpgd [46°46′03″N 121°47′39″W], 8.vii.1989, BJS (2 &female;, CNC); Mt. Rainer NP, ck nr White River Cpgd [46°54′09″N 121°38′28″W], 1340 m, 3.viii.1977, DDW (2 &male;, CAS); same data except, Fish Ck, West Side Rd, 910 m, 1.viii.1977 (4 &female;, CAS); same data except, along Sunbeam Ck above Louise Lk. [46°46′16″N 121°43′23″W], 1520 m, 4.viii.1977 (1 &female;, CAS); Mt. Rainier NP, Narada Falls to Reflection Lk. Tr., 46°46′N 121°44′W, 1400 m, 17.vii.2012, BJS (1 &male;, 10 &female;, CNC); same data except, CNC197570, CNC197571, CNC197572 (2 &male;, 1 &female;, barcoded, CNC); same data except, ex. Erythronium montanum (1 &male;, CNC); same data except, Westside Rd nr. Fish Ck, 46°46.743′N 121°53.069′W, 880 m, 4.vii.2013 (1 &male;, 16 &female;, CNC); same data except, Stevens Ck Tr., 46°45.338′N 121°38.530′W, 1400 m, 17.vii.2012 (1 &female;, CNC); Mt. Rainier NP, Longmire Tr., marsh W Inn, 46°44′56″N 121°48′51″W, 850 m, 25.vi.2005, C.J. Borkent (2 &female;, LEM); Olympia [47°2′16″N 122°54′3″W], 22.vi.1920, ALM (1 &male;, 2 &female;, USNM); Olympic NP, Sol Due River [47°58′00″N 123°51′28″W], 6.vii.1978, D.E. Hardy (1 &female;, WSU); Pluvius [46°32′53″N 123°24′32″W], 10.vii.1917, ALM (1 &female;, USNM); Tacoma [47°14′29″N 122°27′34″W], 27.v.1917, ALM (1 &male;, USNM); Vashon [47°24′58″N 122°28′6″W], 28.v.1917, ALM (2 &male;, 11 &female;, USNM). Wyoming: Sheridan Co., Black Mtn [44°44′17″N 107°23′16″W], pine forest, ypans, dung, 5–20.vii.1990, J. Swann (1 &male;, 11 &female;, DEBU); Teton Co., Togowte Pass [43°45′00″N 110°04′48″W], 9000 ft, 22.vii.1953, R. R. Driesbach (1 &male;, CNC). Possible additional material. USA. California: Placer Co., E end Bear Valley [39°18′34″N 120°39′54″W], 1.vi.1964, PHA (2 &female;, CAS). Recognition. This species is distinguished by 4-serial acrostichal setae, thinly pruinescent scutum with dark chaetotaxy, elongate mouthparts, pale legs and features of the male terminalia (hypoproct process extending beyond cercus; narrow, upright surstylus) (Fig. 48). Redescription. Wing length 3.2–3.8 mm. Male (Fig. 8). Head dark brown in ground-colour, with pale brown to black setation, occiput thinly to densely greyish pollinose. Eyes holoptic, with upper ommatidia enlarged. Frons represented by small triangular space just above antennae, bare, greyish pollinose. Ocellar triangle prominent, with 2 pairs of long hair-like setae. Postvertical setae subequal to postocular setae, thin; occiput covered with numerous similar setae in lower part, pale brown posterior to mouthparts. Antenna dark brown; scape short, slightly shorter than globular pedicel, both with short setae; postpedicel rather narrow, nearly 4 times longer than basal width, base somewhat expanded and smoothly tapered; stylus ca 3–4 times longer than wide, sensillum-tipped; segment 9 tubular, 2–3 times longer than wide, apical sensillum about as long as segment 9. Proboscis very long, projected obliquely; labium longer than head height; palpus slender, projected parallel to labrum, somewhat shorter than labrum. Thorax dark brown in ground-colour with posterior part of postpronotal lobe and postalar tubercle often paler, with brown to black setation; scutum viewed dorsally entirely velvety brown, slightly matt, without vittae; viewed anteriorly densely pruinose; mesopleuron uniformly greyish brown pollinose. Proepisternum with a few hair-like setae. Postpronotal lobe with 1 long thin and several shorter setae. Mesonotal setae distinct, thin; acr 4-serial, arranged in 2 pairs of closely spaced irregular rows, lacking on prescutellar depression, distance between paired rows wider than length of acr; dc uniserial (with some additional setulae in anterior part), offset from row anteriorly, slightly longer than acr, 2–3 distinct prescutellar dc; 1 ph, 1 presut spal (sometimes with additional setulae), 3–4 npl (with a few additional shorter setae), several psut spal setulae, 1 pal and several short setulae, 6–7 pairs of sctl. Legs pale yellow to yellowish brown, coxae and tarsi somewhat darker. Coxae and trochanters with unmodified hair-like setae. Fore femur with row of short anteroventral hair-like setae, especially distinct apically; and somewhat longer setae on posteroventral, dorsal and posterior faces. Mid femur with moderately long posteroventral bristly setae along entire length, bearing some moderately long setae on dorsal and posterior faces. Hind femur with long anteroventral and dorsal setae along whole length. Tibiae with row of slightly prominent thin posterodorsal setae. Tarsomere 1 of mid and hindlegs with pair of rows of stiff ventral setae; tarsomere 5 not flattened on all legs; pulvilli broad, shorter than tarsal claw. Wing distinctly uniformly pale infuscate; basal costal seta absent; pterostigma distinct brownish, elliptical, overlapping apex of R 1; anal lobe very prominent, acute. Sc complete; R 2+3 often slightly bowed posterior to pterostigma; R 4+5 unbranched; cell dm broad, longer than basal cells, truncate apically; base of M 2 (crossvein) more than one-third length of dm-m, M branches widely separated; dm-m crossvein slightly concave. Apex of cell cua recurved; CuA+CuP long, pale, ending short of wing margin. Halter with brown knob, base of shaft paler. Abdomen brown, subshiny, finely brownish grey pollinose, basal 4 segments paler; covered with long mostly yellowish setae, setae dark or pale on apical segments. Terminalia (Fig. 48) concolorous with abdomen, large. Hypandrium with numerous short setae, rounded basally, narrowed apically with narrow, folded apex, with roughened posterior apex; gonocoxal apodeme long and expanded apically; inner apodeme expanded and flattened, slightly longer than length of gonocoxal apodeme; postgonite long, flattened plate, arched, truncate apically with lateral projection. Phallic guide extended well beyond epandrium, parallel with phallus and bent nearly at right angles subapically; bent apical section paired with jagged or toothed surface apically; apex rounded. Epandrium not inflated laterally; dorsal bridge narrow; produced distally into slender, dorsally projecting, slightly curved surstylus; inner margin of surstylus with short tooth-like projection medially. Phallus slender, arched well beyond epandrium, bent more than right angles subapically; apical section sickle-shaped, tapered and very slender; ejaculatory apodeme plate-like, rounded, greatly expanded anteriorly, nearly twice length of gonocoxal apodeme. Cercus short, triangular, one-third length of epandrium; narrowed apically with apex pointed, extended free from epandrium; hypoproct produced into pair of very long, slender processes, longer than cercus. Female. Similar to male, except as follows: Eyes dichoptic; ommatidia equally small. Frons very broad, somewhat widened toward ocellar tubercle, shiny to thinly pruinescent, with marginal setulae. Scutum pruinescent. Scutellum pruinose, usually with 5–6 pairs of setae. Legs similar to male. Abdomen with shorter, less prominent pale setae. Cercus brownish, long, slender, covered with brownish setae. Distribution. Nearctic: Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon), USA (Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming). This species is confined to the western Cordillera of North America from Alaska and Yukon to Wyoming, with most records along the northern Pacific Coast Ranges (Fig. 64). Remarks. This species is very similar to I. sierrensis sp. nov. and I. flavipilosa in terms of male terminalia, but is distinguished by the different lengths of the phallus and phallic guide and orientation and shape of the surstylus.

Fire has historically been a primary control on succession and vegetation dynamics in boreal systems, although modern changing climate is potentially increasing fire size and frequency. Large, often remote fires necessitate large-scale estimates of fire effects and consequences, often using Landsat satellite-derived dNBR (differenced Normalized Burn Ratio) to estimate burn severity. However, few studies have examined long-term field measures of ecosystem condition in relation to dNBR severity classes in boreal Alaska, USA. The goals of this study were: 1) assess changes in dominant vegetation at plots resampled one and 12 years post fire; 2) use dNBR classes to characterize vegetation and downed woody fuels 12 years post fire; and 3) characterize the relationship between biophysical, topographic, and remotely sensed characteristics (e.g., moss and duff depth, canopy cover, elevation, aspect, dNBR) and understory species assemblages 12 years post fire. Understory species richness doubled (from 39 to 73) between 2005 and 2016; some common species increased in cover over time (e.g., Ledum groenlandicum Oeder) while others decreased (e.g., Hylocomium splendens [Hedw.] Schimp.). In 2016, live and dead tree densities, tall shrub cover, and 1- and 100-h woody fuels were significantly different among dNBR classes; moss and duff depth, canopy cover, and spruce seedling density were not. Elevation and aspect significantly influenced tall shrub cover, hardwood sapling density, and downed woody fuel loads. Understory plant communities differed between unburned and all burn classes, as well as between low and high dNBR severity. Ordination analysis showed that overstory (e.g., live tree density), understory (e.g., moss depth, woody fuel loading), and site (elevation, aspect, dNBR) significantly influences understory species assemblages. Remeasured sites (sampled one and 12 years post fire) showed recruitment of new understory species and differing, diverse responses to burning by several common plant species. In 2016, low-severity burned sites had generally the highest woody fuel loading, which may increase risk of repeated surface burning, although the reduction in live tree density would still result in decreased fire risk and behavior. Understory community composition correlated with multiple biotic and abiotic factors, including moss depth, canopy cover, elevation, aspect, and dNBR. Overall, our findings can improve landscape-level predictions of ecosystem condition following fire based on dNBR.

Few guidelines exist for the effective revegetation of peatlands following the removal of in-situ oil and gas infrastructure. We conducted a manipulative field study in northeast Alberta, Canada, on a well pad undergoing removal and revegetation to test different management practices for facilitating vegetation establishment and recovery of a sphagnum-dominated peatland. A randomized block design was used to evaluate the effect of various revegetation practices, including augmenting natural recovery with the use of native transplants, acrotelm transfer from a similar intact donor peatland, and the use of variable surface microtopography. Although overall survival of transplants was similar between areas smoothed and left rough, areas that were rough had greater species richness under natural recovery, including trees, shrubs, and other perennial herbs. Moreover, survival and growth of woody transplants (Picea mariana—black spruce and Ledum groenlandicum—Labrador tea) were greater when planted within the top and middle microtopographic positions rather than micro-depressions. Survival of transplanted sedges (Carex spp.) was high at all topographic positions, but benefited the most in growth from planting in depressions. Contrary to expectations, no benefits of acrotelm application were found on vegetation recovery during the first two seasons, and even reduced the presence of some native vegetation. Although transplants directly contributed to revegetation, the recovering peatland remained highly dissimilar ( 90%) in composition relative to the neighboring peatland after two years.

Pollen, spore, macrofossil and carbon data from a peatland near Cordova, Alaska, reveal insights into the climate–vegetation–carbon interactions from the initiation of the Holocene, c. the last 11.5 ka, to the present (1 ka = 1000 calibrated years before present where 0 = 1950 CE). The Holocene period is characterized by early deposition of gyttja in a pond environment with aquatics such as Nuphar polysepalum and Potamogeton, and a significant regional presence of Alnus crispa subsp. sinuata. Carbon accumulation (50 g/m2/a) was high for a short interval in the early Holocene when Sphagnum peat accumulated, but was followed by a major decline to 13 g/m2/a from 7 to 3.7 ka when Cyperaceae and ericads such as Rhododendron (formerly Ledum) groenlandicum expanded. This shift to sedge growth is representative of many peatlands throughout the south-central region of Alaska, and indicates a drier, more evaporative environment with a large decline in carbon storage. The subsequent return to Sphagnum peat after 4 ka in the Neoglacial represents a widespread shift to moister, cooler conditions, which favored a resurgence of ericads, such as Andromeda polifolia, and increased carbon accumulation rate. The sustained Alnus expansion visible in the top 10 cm of the peat profile is correlative with glacial retreat and warming of the region in the last century, and suggests this colonization will continue as temperature increases and ice melts.

Plant uranium concentrations generally reflect soil or rock substrate concentrations in upland areas, but they may not in lowland areas where the rhizoids of Sphagnum spp. and the rocks of Ledum groenlandicum may be in direct contact either continuously or on a seasonal basis with the groundwater. This study points out the importance of selecting plant species and collection sites where the true substrate can be well defined and sampled. Sphagnum spp. and Ledum groenlandicum best reflect the substrate uranium concentrations in lowland areas, Umbilicaria spp. and Cladonia spp. in rock outcrop, and Picea mariana and Betula papyrifera in upland locations. The study shows the best plant part to sample is the older tissue such as the stems, twigs, and wood. Since no systematic changes in plant tissue concentrations were found throughout the season, sampling can be carried out anytime. Expression of soil concentrations on an ash weight basis gave a considerably different result than those on a dry weight basis, particularly when comparisons were made between litter-enriched mineral soil and true organic soils. The amount of ash varied among plant organs, species, and taxonomic divisions, and a constant value cannot be used to convert plant ash concentrations to concentrations on a dry weight basis.

Despite covering vast areas of boreal North America, the ecological factors structuring mycorrhizal fungal communities in peatland forests are relatively poorly understood. To assess how these communities vary by age (younger vs. mature), habitat (fen vs. bog), and host (conifer trees vs. ericaceous shrub), we sampled the roots of two canopy trees (Larix laricina and Picea mariana) and an ericaceous shrub (Ledum groenlandicum) at four sites in northern Minnesota, USA. To characterize the specific influence of host co-occurrence on mycorrhizal fungal community structure, we also conducted a greenhouse bioassay using the same three hosts. Root samples were assessed using Illumina-based high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of the ITS1 rRNA gene region. As expected, we found that the relative abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi was high on both Larix and Picea, whereas ericoid mycorrhizal fungi had high relative abundance only on Ledum. Ericoid mycorrhizal fungal richness was significantly higher in mature forests, in bogs, and on Ledum hosts, while ectomycorrhizal fungal richness did not differ significantly across any of these three variables. In terms of community composition, ericoid mycorrhizal fungi were more strongly influenced by host while ectomycorrhizal fungi were more influenced by habitat. In the greenhouse bioassay, the presence of Ledum had consistently stronger effects on the composition of ectomycorrhizal, ericoid, and ericoid-ectomycorrhizal fungal communities than either Larix or Picea. Collectively, these results suggest that partitioning HTS-based datasets by mycorrhizal type in boreal peatland forests is important, as their responses to rapidly changing environmental conditions are not likely to be uniform.

The reproduction of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) is closely tied to insect pollination, owing to self-incompatibility. Many species are known to have greater pollination efficiency than the introduced Apis mellifera L., commonly used for commercial purposes. In this study, we measured the pollen loads of several antophilous insect species, mostly Apoidea and Syrphidae, present in four lowbush blueberry fields in Lac-St-Jean, Québec. To measure pollen loads and species specificity toward V. angustifolium, we net-collected 627 specimens of pollinators, retrieved their pollen loads, identified pollen taxa, and counted pollen grains. We found that the sizes of pollen loads were highly variable among species, ranging from a few hundred to more than 118,000 pollen grains per individual. Bombus and Andrena species in particular carried large amounts of Vaccinium pollen and thus may have greater pollination efficiency. Also, two species (Andrena bradleyi Viereck and Andrena carolina Viereck) showed nearly monolectic behavior toward lowbush blueberry. Finally, we identified alternative forage plants visited by native pollinators, notably species of Acer, Rubus, Ilex mucronata, Ledum groenlandicum, and Taraxacum. Protecting these flowering plants should be part of management practices to maintain healthy pollinator communities in a lowbush blueberry agroecosystem.

Plants in nutrient-poor environments typically have low foliar nitrogen (N) concentrations, long-lived tissues with leaf traits designed to use nutrients efficiently, and low rates of photosynthesis. We postulated that increasing N availability due to atmospheric deposition would increase photosynthetic capacity, foliar N, and specific leaf area (SLA) of bog shrubs. We measured photosynthesis, foliar chemistry and leaf morphology in three ericaceous shrubs (Vaccinium myrtilloides, Ledum groenlandicum and Chamaedaphne calyculata) in a long-term fertilization experiment at Mer Bleue bog, Ontario, Canada, with a background deposition of 0.8 g N m−2 a−1. While biomass and chlorophyll concentrations increased in the highest nutrient treatment for C. calyculata, we found no change in the rates of light-saturated photosynthesis (A max), carboxylation (V cmax), or SLA with nutrient (N with and without PK) addition, with the exception of a weak positive correlation between foliar N and A max for C. calyculata, and higher V cmax in L. groenlandicum with low nutrient addition. We found negative correlations between photosynthetic N use efficiency (PNUE) and foliar N, accompanied by a species-specific increase in one or more amino acids, which may be a sign of excess N availability and/or a mechanism to reduce ammonium (NH4) toxicity. We also observed a decrease in foliar soluble Ca and Mg concentrations, essential minerals for plant growth, but no change in polyamines, indicators of physiological stress under conditions of high N accumulation. These results suggest that plants adapted to low-nutrient environments do not shift their resource allocation to photosynthetic processes, even after reaching N sufficiency, but instead store the excess N in organic compounds for future use. In the long term, bog species may not be able to take advantage of elevated nutrients, resulting in them being replaced by species that are better adapted to a higher nutrient environment.

Twelve Alaska native plants were propagated from softwood and semi-hardwood stem cuttings collected from late June through August. Cuttings of new growth were treated with 0.3% indole-3-butyric acid powder and propagated in horticultural grade perlite and vermiculite (1:1 by vol) under intermittent mist with bottom heat [26C (79F)] in a greenhouse with a minimum night temperature of 15C (59F). After 6 weeks, cuttings were harvested and evaluated for rooting percentage and root quantity. Four species rooted poorly (< 25%) regardless of collection date: Siberian alder (Alnus viridis ssp. fruticosa), silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata), Bebb willow (Salix bebbiana) and shrub birch (Betula glandulosa). Best rooting (> 80%) occurred June 20 for: Beauverd spiraea (Spiraea stevenii), sweetgale (Myrica gale), and thinleaf alder (Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia). Peak rooting for dwarf birch (Betula nana), feltleaf willow (Salix alaxensis), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) and littletree willow (Salix arbusculoides) was early to mid July. During peak rooting times, all successful species developed adequate root quantities for survival following transplanting.

A combination of light microscopy (including differential interference contrast) and laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to document the colonization patterns of epidermal cells and details of intracellular hyphal complexes of five native ericaceous hosts: Vaccinium oxycoccos L. (bog cranberry), Ledum groenlandicum Oeder. (Labrador tea), Vaccinium myrtilloides L. (velvet-leaf blueberry), Kalmia angustifolia L. (sheep laurel), and Gaultheria procumbens L. (wintergreen). Colonization patterns, hyphal complex morphology, and the structure of thick-walled epidermal cells varied considerably among hosts. Multiple hyphal connections were observed between adjacent epidermal cells, indicating that one fungal entry point may result in the colonization of more than one epidermal cell. Further field observations combined with fungal isolations from field-collected plants, identification, and reinoculation studies of other species in the large Ericaceae family are required to determine the full range of structural details in ericoid mycorrhizas.Key words: ericoid mycorrhizas, hair roots, intracellular hyphal complexes, confocal microscopy.

Northern peatlands are substantial sinks of carbon (C), yet the sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from peatlands are largely unknown. Since the relationship between roots and peat in C cycling is important, vascular plants growing on the surface of peat deposits should influence CO2 efflux from the peat surface and the overall C balance in peatlands. In our study, 30-cm peat cores were removed from an ombrotrophic bog in boreal, continental western Canada. Surface vegetation in the cores remained intact and included a continuous bryophyte cover dominated by Sphagnum fuscum. In addition, some cores were collected such that either ericaceous shrubs (Ledum groenlandicum) or sedges (Eriophorum vaginatum) were present. We investigated how the presence of each vegetation type influenced soil respiration and the microbial mineralization of root exudates using a pulse 14C labeling of vegetation in the intact peat cores. The role of root biomass and root respiration in CO2 emission and C allocation was quantified for each type of vegetation and compared through both measurement and modeling. Our results show that vascular plants contributed 35-57% of total CO2 efflux from the peat surface, primarily derived from rhizosphere processes, including root respiration as well as microbial mineralization of root exudates. The mineralization of root exudates contributed 14-53 pmol C-CO2.m-2-d-' (17- 24% of total) to CO2 efflux, depending on vegetation type and moisture conditions. The type of vegetation present did not influence the total amount of photosynthetic fixation over the course of the study, but did affect how C was allocated within and between both the aboveground and belowground components of the peat column.

A total of 27 extracts from non-cultivated and weedy vegetables traditionally consumed by ethnic Albanians (Arbereshe) in the Vulture area (southern Italy) were tested for their free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) in the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil radical) screening assay, for their in vitro non-enzymatic inhibition of bovine brain lipid peroxidation and for their inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO). In both antioxidant assays strong activity was shown for Leopoldia comosa (bulbs, syn.: Muscari comosum) and Centaurea calcitrapa (young whorls). In the lipid peroxidation assay, extracts from leaves of Origanum heracleoticum, Urtica dioica and Tordylium apulum showed a remarkable inhibitory activity (> 50%), too. In the case of Leopoldia comosa and Origanum heracleoticum this activity was comparable to quercetin (at a concentration of 50 microM) and Rhodiola rosea extract. Extracts from non-cultivated Cichorium intybus, Chondrilla juncea and Stellaria media showed strong in vitro inhibition of xanthine oxidase, with an activity higher than that of a reference extract from Ledum groenlandicum. These findings suggest that weedy vegetables may be useful antioxidants of interest in the prevention of ageing related diseases, CNS disorders and as potential sources of phytomedicines against hyperuricaemia and gout.

Rust fungi in the genus Chrysomyxa Unger occur in boreal forests of the northern hemisphere on Pinaceae (mostly Picea A. Dietr.), and most species alternate to angiosperm hosts in the Ericaceae. About 30 species are known worldwide. Although several species are economically important pathogens of spruce and rhododendrons, knowledge about species delineations, relationships among species on different continents, and life cycles is lacking. A group of species with similar spore size, including the Chrysomyxa ledi de Bary complex, was re-examined using field observations, inoculation experiments, and light and scanning electron microscopy. In addition to host specificity, characters found useful in species delineation were urediniospore and aeciospore size and shape, and ornamentation of spores and the aecial peridium. Detailed descriptions are given for eight Chrysomyxa species, including synonyms, types, distribution, relationship to other species, and disease impact. The members of the C. ledi complex are considered separate species: Chrysomyxa ledi on Ledum palustre, Chrysomyxa nagodhii sp.nov. on Ledum groenlandicum and Ledum decumbens, Chrysomyxa neoglandulosi sp.nov. on Ledum glandulosum, Chrysomyxa cassandrae on Chamaedaphne calyculata, Chrysomyxa rhododendri on Rhododendron spp., and Chrysomyxa vaccinii comb.nov. on Vaccinium parvifolium. Chrysomyxa chiogenis, with similar spore size, is included for comparison. A previously unrecognized small-spored species, Chrysomyxa reticulata sp.nov., is described on Ledum spp. and Rhododendron spp. Evidence is presented that C. reticulata spreads from native Ledum spp. in North America to cultivated rhododendrons. A new anamorphic species, Peridermium zilleri, likely belonging in Chrysomyxa, is described on Picea sitchensis from coastal British Columbia.Key words: Uredinales, Rhododendron, needle rust, Ledum, systematics.

The rust fungus Chrysomyxa woroninii causes perennial witches’ brooms on several species of Ledum in northern and subalpine regions of Europe, North America and Asia. Spruce bud rust has been assumed to be the aecial state of C. woroninii because of the close proximity of infected Ledum plants and systemically infected buds on Picea. The lack of experimental evidence for this connection, however, and the presence of other species of Chrysomyxa on the same hosts has led to confusion about the life-cycle of C. woroninii. In this study, infections on both spruce and Ledum were studied in the field and in a greenhouse. The link between the two states was proven by inoculating spruce with basidiospores from Ledum groenlandicum. After infection of spruce in spring, probably through the needles, the fungus overwinters in the unopened buds until the next spring, when the infected shoots are distinguished by stunting and yellow or red discolouration. Microscopic examination of dormant Ledum shoots showed that C. woroninii overwinters in this host in the bracts and outer leaves of the vegetative buds, and in the pith and cortex of the stem. The telia of C. woroninii , on systemically infected Ledum leaves of the current season, are easily distinguished from the telia of other Chrysomyxa species on the same hosts. The latter produce localized telia and uredinia only on overwintered leaves, produce aecia on spruce needles in the same year as infection occurs, and are not systemic in spruce. The restricted habitat distribution of C. woroninii and the need for overwintering outdoors suggest that this rust fungus has specific environmental requirements for survival.

The teleomorphic state of the ericoid mycorrhizal Hymenoscyphus ericae is known only from the type deposition. The production of both the teleomorph and anamorph by an isolate recovered from Ledum groenlandicum collected in an acidic peatland in Alberta, Canada, provided an opportunity to describe and illustrate the holomorph for a North American collection as a new record and as a supplement to the original diagnosis. It also provided further evidence that Hymenoscyphus ericae and Scytalidium vaccinii represent states of a single species, a hypothesis that previously had been tested using nuclear ribosomal DNA analysis. Appropriate cultural conditions and the use of molecular markers are advocated in order to facilitate the identification of mycorrhizal isolates which often remain sterile in pure culture.

This study was undertaken to estimate the aboveground biomass and carbon pool of plant communities in two bogs: one to be experimentally flooded to simulate a hydroelectric reservoir and the other left unflooded as a reference. The biomass of trees, saplings, and tall shrubs was estimated using allometric regression equations, while that of tree and tall shrub seedlings, low shrubs, herbs, bryophytes, and litter was harvested from 0.25-m2 plots. The eight communities were open or treed in low to high densities with Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP. and sparse Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch. Aboveground community biomass (excluding litter) ranged from 7189 ± 924 (mean ± SE) to 72 909 ± 20 627 kg·ha-1, and litter ranged from 1181 ± 548 to 7664 ± 2848 kg·ha-1. Mean carbon concentration in the plant material analyzed ranged from 430 to 540 mg C·g-1. Carbon concentration of leaves in woody species was higher than in branches and stems. Carbon pool estimates (excluding litter) for the communities ranged from 3140 ± 480 to 35 010 ± 8890 kg C·ha-1. Community carbon per unit area as a percentage of biomass per unit area ranged from 44 to 48%. The available carbon pool (including litter and excluding tree branches and stems) of communities in the experimental bog ranged from 6386 to 9907 kg C·ha-1. Low shrubs, dominated by Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench in wetter, more open communities and Ledum groenlandicum Oeder in drier, more densely treed communities, composed 34-53% of the available carbon pool. Litter was the largest contributor (33%) to the available carbon pool in the most densely treed community, and bryophytes (mostly Sphagnum angustifolium (C. Jens. ex Russ.) C. Jens. in Tolf and Sphagnum fallax (Klinggr.) Klinggr., 46%) in the sedge community. The available carbon pool in aboveground vegetation of the experimental bog was estimated to be 1.17 × 105 kg C, approximately 12% of the estimated carbon pool in the peat.Key words: biomass, bog, carbon, experimental reservoir.

This study documents changes in community and functional group across environmental gradients sensitive to climate warming in boreal permafrost peatlands and describes how future changes in temperature and precipitation may lead to changes in species composition and ecosystem properties. At the landscape scale, the presence of permafrost strongly influenced species composition. The position of permafrost thaw affected surface water pH and species composition. At local scales, a combination of water table depth and vegetation structure strongly controlled community composition. Permafrost plateau plots with high Picea mariana basal area were characterized by darker and drier understorey conditions, low cover of Sphagnum fuscum, Ledum groenlandicum, and lichen, and high cover of feather mosses. Aquatic collapse scar plots were dominated by aquatic Sphagnum and Carex, whereas more xeric plots were dominated by hummock Sphagnum and ericaceous shrubs. Functional group responses indicated that changing environmental conditions with climate warming may have significant impacts on community composition and ecosystem processes. A decomposition example is presented to show how changes in species and functional group composition could have important implications for ecosystem-level processes like peat accumulation during climate warming.Key words: bogs, fens, boreal, permafrost, vegetation, ordination

The effects of leaves and litter of the boreal forest understory shrub, Ledum groenlandicum, on soil characteristics and black spruce (Picea mariana) seedling growth were investigated. Organic and mineral soils, not previously associated with L. groenlandicum, were amended with leaves and litter of this species. The objectives of the present study were: (i) to determine the changes in soil characteristics after amending with L. groenlandicum, (ii) to determine the quantitative variation in the concentration of water-soluble phenolic allelochemicals in mineral and organic soil layers modified by L. groenlandicum and (iii) to study the growth response of black spruce in soils treated with different L. groenlandicum amendments. The amended organic and mineral soils were analyzed for pH, organic matter, PO4, N, Ba, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Al and total phenolics equivalence. Results indicate that organic soils amended with L. groenlandicum leaves and litter were significantly different from unamended control soil for most of the chemical characteristics, while amended mineral soil was different from that of unmodified mineral soil for PO4, organic matter, K and total phenolics equivalence. Water-soluble phenolics from L. groenlandicum and changes in nutrient availability are plausible causes of L. groenlandicum interference with black spruce seedling growth.

Trace element analysis of conifer tissues demonstrates the application of biogeochemistry to mineral exploration for gold and other metals hosted by lower Paleozoic metasediments in eastern Nova Scotia. At the regional scale, enrichment of up to 170 ppb Au and 72 ppm As in the ash of twigs from balsam fir (Abies balsamea) coincides with known gold districts and major shear zones. These concentrations are approximately 30 times background level. The twig trace element chemistry indicates previously unsuspected Au potential in Carboniferous Horton Group sedimentary rocks, and around the contact aureoles of Devonian granitoids where the twigs are also enriched in Cs (×30), Sb (×3), Rb (×3) and W (×10). Along the Minas Fault, separating the Avalon and Meguma terranes, anomalous groupings of Ba and Cr in twigs suggest exploration potential for base metal (Cu-Pb-Zn) and mafic or ultramafic (Co-Ni-Pt group element) associations. Detailed biogeochemical studies at five till- and/or bog-covered localities near the Beaver Dam gold deposit outline mineralization buried beneath up to 25 m of surficial sediment. An association of Au, As and Cs in the vegetation provides consistent patterns equal to or better than the more erratic geochemical response in soil and till surveys over the same areas. Concentrations of up to 170 ppb Au in the ash of twigs indicate locations suitable for further exploration. The low shrubs Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), leather leaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) and bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia) were collected from two small boggy areas suspected to overlie gold-bearing bedrock. Typically, these species contain

Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), a slow-growing late successional evergreen, is highly unpalatable to snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). Germacrone, a sesquiterpene that is the major component of the essential oil ofL. groenlandicum, was shown by bioassay to be a potent antifeedant to hares. Its concentrations in leaves and intemodes of the plant are high enough to defendL. groenlandicum from hares. This chemical defense of Labrador tea from herbivory is consistent with the resource availability theory of antiherbivore defense.

Through their diet, herbivores inhabiting contaminated sites may be chronically exposed to a variety of aryl hydrocarbons (e.g., dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs]). However, little is known about how differences in morphology and physiology among plant species alter the environmental accumulation of aryl hydrocarbons or their release and subsequent activity in the gastrointestinal tract of herbivores after ingestion. In the present study, the activity of aryl hydrocarbons during digestion was examined using six Arctic plant species growing in impacted and reference sites near Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. The plant species studied were black spruce (Picea mariana), labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), bog birch (Betula glandulosa), green alder (Alnus crispa), water sedge (Carex aquatilis), and little-tree willow (Salix arbusculoides). Plants were digested using a simulator of the upper digestive tract, and aryl hydrocarbon release was evaluated using an aryl hydrocarbon-receptor assay. Bioaccessible aryl hydrocarbon activity varied among the plant species tested. The species with the greatest activity was green alder, and the species with the least activity was black spruce. Further investigation revealed that digested plant extracts may antagonize the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and prevent bioactivation of the aryl compound benzo[a]pyrene. Thus, PAH risk from the ingestion of vegetation varies among plant species and may depend on antagonists present in the vegetation.

Mining and processing of lead (Pb)/zinc (Zn) ore at the Anvil Range mine occurred near the town of Faro in the Yukon Territory, Canada, for approximately 30 years, beginning in 1968. A study was undertaken to examine whether the mining activities had left a detectable "footprint" on the environment in the way of heavy metal phytoaccumulation. Foliage of three native plant species was sampled: bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), and willow (Salix sp.), at approximately 0.25, 2.5, 12, 30, and 200 (control) km distant from the mill (ore-processing facility at the mine). Foliage samples were oven-dried, wet- or dry-ashed, and analyzed for metal content using ICP-AES. In addition to Pb and Zn, the primary ore constituents, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and cadmium (Cd), were also assayed. As expected, foliar Pb and Zn concentrations were elevated in plants at the sites closest to the mill, i.e., 0.25 and 2.5 km from the mine facility. Copper and Fe, both essential nutrients for plants, were also elevated in foliage at the sites closest to the mill, but not to a level that would be of concern. Foliar Cd levels were highest in Salix relative to the other species but were not affected by proximity to the mill. Results suggest that Ledum may be the best indicator of high environmental concentrations of Pb, while Salix may be the best indicator of elevated Zn and Cd.

A total of 27 extracts from non-cultivated and weedy vegetables traditionally consumed by ethnic Albanians (Arbëreshë) in the Vulture area (southern Italy) were tested for their free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) in the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil radical) screening assay, for their in vitro non-enzymatic inhibition of bovine brain lipid peroxidation and for their inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO). In both antioxidant assays strong activity was shown for Leopoldia comosa (bulbs, syn.: Muscari comosum) and Centaurea calcitrapa (young whorls). In the lipid peroxidation assay, extracts from leaves of Origanum heracleoticum, Urtica dioica and Tordylium apulum showed a remarkable inhibitory activity (50%), too. In the case of Leopoldia comosa and Origanum heracleoticum this activity was comparable to quercetin (at a concentration of 50 microM) and Rhodiola rosea extract. Extracts from non-cultivated Cichorium intybus, Chondrilla juncea and Stellaria media showed strong in vitro inhibition of xanthine oxidase, with an activity higher than that of a reference extract from Ledum groenlandicum. These findings suggest that weedy vegetables may be useful antioxidants of interest in the prevention of ageing related diseases, CNS disorders and as potential sources of phytomedicines against hyperuricaemia and gout.

A description is provided for Podosphaera myrtillina . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. DISEASE: Powdery mildew of plants belonging to the Vacciniaceae only. Infected plants usualy change colour, Ascomata form a brown layer on damaged green parts of host. Development of the disease can by epiphytotic, in which case the crop of berries can be significantly reduced. HOSTS: Arctostaphylos alpina (?), Ledum groenlandicum (?), Vaccinium angustifolium (V. pennsylvanicum), V . × intermedium (V. myrtillus × vitis-idaea), V. membranaceum, V. myrtillus, V. oxycoccos (Oxycoccus palustris, O. quadripetalus), V. uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea . [Type species - Vaccinium myrtillus ] GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Asia (temperate areas only): Republic of Georgia, Russia (all Russian far east including Kamchatka; west, south and east Siberia including Yakutia). Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Rumania, Russia (western and northwestern areas of European part, Moscow oblast'), Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, former Yugoslavia. North America: Canada, USA (including Alaska). TRANSMISSION: Probably by wind-dispersed conidia. The rôle of ascospores in disease transmission is unknown, although it has been supposed that they can cause the initial stage of the disease. Infection can also, however, occur from colonies surviving in host buds. In addition, ascomata of Podosphaera myrtillina , especially of var. major , intertwine their appendages to form clusters which are dispersed by rain or wind.

Forty‐two plant foods known to have been used in the past by native people of the Nuxalk Nation, Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada, were studied. To estimate the availability of the most prominent plant food resources, field estimates were made using modifications of standard techniques for quantifying plant species. Assessments of accessibility, abundance and frequency of food species were made. In addition, harvesting efficiency of 24 species was determined. Twenty species were selected as being the most readily available food resources, and therefore good candidates for nutritional research and promotion. These included the trees: Populus trichocarpa, Pyrus fusca, Tsuga heterophylla; the shrubs: Amelanchier alnifolia, Ledum groenlandicum, Ribes divaricatum, Rosa nutkana, Rubus idaeus, R. parviflorus, R. spectabilis, Sambucus racemosa, Vaccinium ovalifolium, V. parvifolium, Viburnum edule, and the herbs: Cornus canadensis, Epilobium angustifolium, Heracleum lanatwn, Maianthemum dilatatum, Potentilla...

The litter bag technique was used to examine the decomposition of six litter types (representing Picea mariana, Cladina stellaris, Betula glandulosa, and Ledum groenlandicum) and standard cellulose. The decomposition was measured over a 2-yr period, with tissue samples placed on a recently burnt site and on top of and beneath a lichen mat in a mature spruce-lichen woodland in northern Quebec. Mass losses after 2 yr were between 10 and 60%, with the largest losses occurring in B. glandulosa and L. groenlandicum leaves and the smallest in C. stellaris; 60-90% of the Ist-yr mass loss occurs during the winter (September to June). The exponential decay constant k ranged from -0.05 to -0.53. There were few statistically significant differences in decomposition rate among the three sites. Of the chemical constituents analyzed, original concentrations of Ca, carbohydrate, P, K, and N were closely correlated either with the decomposition parameter k or with mass remaining after I or 2 yr. Ca, Mg, and K are rapidly lost from the decomposing tissues, except for C. stellaris. All the tissues, except B. glandulosa, showed an accumulation of N, associated with high C:N ratios. The results emphasize the importance of N to this ecosystem, in that it tends to remain immobilized in the litter, at least over the first 2 yr.

A study was carried out on the Influence of 15.2 "mol m-1 (0.34 ppm) (Canadian maximum acceptable Umlt) of SO. on net CO. as­ 'slmilation rate (NAR) and visible symptom development of several boreal forest woody species. Fumigation with SO, slgnlOcantly re­ duced NAR In all species and produced visible symptoms of Injul")' In 2 to 20 d •. The decrease In NAR of deciduous species {aspen (Populus tremuloides Mlchx.), willow (Salix sp.), green alder (Alnus crlspa (Alt.) Parsb), and paper birch (Betula papyri/era Marsh)} was slg­ nlOcandy more rapid than of conifers { jack pine (Pinus banksiona Lamb.), white spruce (PIcea glauca (Moench) Voss), and black spruce (P. mariana (Mill.) BSP)} or an evergreen angiosperm (Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum Oeder» wben grown on a fertilized Brunlsol. cases did not appear until NAR bad decreased considerably. Tbe re­ sponse of tbese metaboUc and visible responses appeared to be related to differences In S uptake owing In part to higher gas exchange rates for deciduous species than for conifers. Conifers growing In on sands tailings responded to SO. with a slg­ nlOcantly more rapid decrease In NAR as compared with those grow­ Ing In tbe Brunlsol. Because botb soils were fertilized, nutrient status was ruled out as a cause. It Is suggested that the conifers obtained from tbe taiUngs dike were predisposed to SO. fumigation by eitber tbe presence of toxic material in tbe tailings sand or tbelr history of ex­ posure to moderate levels of SO •. Sulfur uptake and visible symptom development were not different on tailings as compared witb tbe Brunlsol.

Twigs of shrub alders (Alnus crispa and Alnus rugosa) tend to contain more gold than other common species in the northern forests of Saskatchewan. Alders are not cyanogenic, hence samples can be ashed to preconcentrate gold without loss of the metal as the volatile gold cyanide. Samples from mineralized zones commonly have over 50 ppb Au in the ash of the outermost 50 cm of alder twig. Background values are about 10 ppb Au. In the absence of alder from a given locality, other species may provide useful information on gold in the substrate. Examples are given of surveys using balsam fir (Abies balsamea), white spruce (Picea glauca) and black spruce (Picea mariana). A reconnaissance scale survey in which alder twigs were collected at 2-km intervals has outlined an area, coincident with a major lithostructural domain, within which ashed twigs contained from 20 to 130 ppb Au ( x = 45 ppb Au ). In sharp contrast, alders in a neighbouring area contained less than 10 ppb Au. It appears that this regional approach to biogeochemical sampling in glaciated terrains may provide a quick appraisal of the gold potential of underlying bedrock. Platinum and palladium show a tendency to concentrate in twigs and trunk of black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and in stems of labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum). Spruce was sampled close to a worked out nickel-copper deposit that contained 3000 ppb Pt and 6000 ppb Pd. The ashed twigs yielded up to 880 ppb Pt and 1350 ppb Pd, compared to background levels of below 10 ppb Pt and 2 ppb Pd.

The pattern of geographic variation in the annual shoot production of the three bog shrubs (leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia), and Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) was examined using data collected at eight peatland sites along an 800-km latitudinal transect. Productivity varied significantly among sites, with L. groenlandicum exhibiting the greatest range of values (114–505 mg/shoot), followed by K. polifolia (83–341) and C. calyculata (73–241). This variation could be best interpreted by including both climatic and substrate variables in a multiple regression equation. The combination of three site variables (heat sum, depth to standing water, and water conductivity) accounted for between 63 and 86% of the observed variation in shoot productivity. Adding four other variables increased the percentage of variation explained to between 95 and 99%.