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Lysurus fossatii, a new Lysuraceae species with unique macroscopic features is described and illustrated. Specimens were collected during field expeditions to remnants of the Espinal forest preserved at Estancia Yucat, South-East Córdoba, in central Argentina. The species is diagnosed by a light yellow peridium when immature, with the surface marked by a reticulum corresponding to the peridial sutures. When young and while still enclosed in the peridium, this species can be distinguished by the presence of a small white stipe completely covered by a green gleba. No actual receptacular structure is evidenced and only the stipe supports the gleba. Phylogenetic analyses highly supported the affinity of this species with L. sphaerocephalus in a close clade of L. cruciatus.

Abstract:Objective: In the present study we characterize, using a retrospective approach, the HIV-1 infection in Córdoba, Argentina, by determining the viral subtypes circulating in the period 1986-2001. Methods: The pol and env genes were analyzed using two different approaches: 1) comparing the sequences from Córdoba with those of pure subtypes and circulating recombinant forms of the HIV-1 M group; 2) subdividing the sequences into pure-subtype data sets (avoiding the effects of recombination) to determine if the subtypes from Córdoba have a single or multiple geographic origins. Results: The first approach revealed that eighteen strains were subtype B, seven B/F1, one C and one F1. Only two of the B/F1 corresponded to the CRF12_B/F1, previously described for Argentina; the remaining B/F1 sequences could be considered different forms of URF_B/F1. The Phylogenetic results of the second approach suggest that in Córdoba subtype B would have multiple geographic origins, while subtypes F1 and C would have been introduced directly from Brazil or indirectly from Buenos Aires. Conclusions: The great subtype variability indicates that the HIV-1 infection in Córdoba was complex since its very beginning. Our results also reveal the close contact of people of this city, through tourism and commercial activities, with those from Buenos Aires and Brazil. Keywords:HIV-1 infection; Córdoba, Argentina; HIV-1 subtypes; phylogenetic analyses; inter subtype recombinant strains Resumen:Objetivo: En el presente estudio, utilizando un enfoque retrospectivo, caracterizamos la infección de VIH-1 en Córdoba (Argentina) a través de la determinación de los subtipos virales circulantes en el período 1986-2001. Métodos: Se analizaron los genes pol y env utilizando dos enfoques diferentes: 1) comparando las secuencias de Córdoba con aquellas de subtipos puros y formas recombinantes circulantes del grupo M del VIH-1; 2) subdividiendo las secuencias en matrices de subtipos puros (evitando los efectos de la recombinación) a fin de determinar si los subtipos de Córdoba tienen uno o varios orígenes geográficos. Resultados: El primer enfoque reveló que dieciocho cepas correspondían al subtipo B, siete a B/F1, una a C y una a F1. Solo dos de los B/F1 correspondían a la forma CRF12_B/F1, previamente descripta para Argentina; las secuencias B/F1 restantes serían diferentes formas de URF_B/F1. Los análisis filogenéticos del segundo enfoque sugieren que el subtipo B de Córdoba tendría múltiples orígenes geográficos, mientras que los subtipos F1 y C habrían sido introducidos directamente desde Brasil o indirectamente desde Buenos Aires. Conclusiones: La gran variabilidad de subtipos indica que la infección de VIH-1 en Córdoba fue compleja desde sus inicios. Nuestros resultados también revelan el estrecho contacto entre la gente de esta ciudad, a través del turismo y actividades comerciales, con las de Buenos Aires y Brasil.