Phylogenetic systematics of the Empis (Coptophlebia) hyalea-group (Insecta: Diptera: Empididae)

Six clades are inferred from a phylogenetic analysis including 42 species belonging to the Empis (Coptophlebia) hyalea‐group. These clades are named as follows: E. (C.) acris, E. (C.) aspina, E. (C.) atratata, E. (C.) hyalea, E. (C.) jacobsoni and E. (C.) nahaeoensis. The presence of two dorsal more or less developed epandrial projections is considered autapomorphic for the E. (C.) hyalea‐group in addition to two characters previously found to support the monophyly of this group (presence of an unsclerotized zone in the middle of labella and epandrium unpaired). Amongst the cladistically analysed species, 24 are newly described [ E. ( C. ) acris , E. ( C. ) aspina , E. ( C. ) cameronensis , E. ( C. ) duplex , E. ( C. ) incurva , E. ( C. ) inferiseta , E. ( C. ) kuaensis , E. ( C. ) lachaisei , E. ( C. ) lamellalta , E. ( C. ) lata , E. ( C. ) loici , E. ( C. ) longiseta , E. ( C. ) mengyangensis , E. ( C. ) menglunensis , E. ( C. ) missai , E. ( C. ) nimbaensis , E. ( C. ) padangensis , E. ( C. ) parvula , E. ( C. ) projecta , E. ( C. ) pseudonahaeoensis , E. ( C. ) submetallica , E. ( C. ) urumae , E. ( C. ) vitisalutatoris and E. ( C. ) woitapensis ], five are reviewed [E. (C.) hyalea Melander, E. (C.) jacobsoni De Meijere, E. (C.) ostentator Melander, E. (C.) sinensis Melander and E. (C.) thiasotes Melander] and 13 were recently described in two previous papers. Two additional species, E. (C.) abbrevinervis De Meijere and E. (C.) multipennata Melander, are also reviewed but not included in the cladistic analysis since they are only known from the female. A lectotype is designated for E. (C.) jacobsoni. A key is provided to the six clades of the E. (C.) hyalea‐group as well as to species of each clade. A catalogue of the E. (C.) hyalea‐group, including 72 species, is given. The taxonomic status of 25 additional species mainly described by Bezzi and Brunetti, from the Oriental and Australasian regions, is discussed. The E. (C.) hyalea‐group is firstly recorded from the Palaearctic Region and Australia. Finally, the distribution and the habitats of the species compared with their phylogeny suggest a possible relationship between the diversification of the group and forest fragmentations during the Quaternary. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 145 , 339–391.     

A contribution towards resolving the nomenclature of Citharexylum (Verbenaceae). II. Remarks on implicit typifications and lectotypification of names linked to Mesoamerican taxa

During ongoing taxonomic studies in Citharexylum (Verbenaceae), sixteen names were found in need of typification or typification remarks. As a result, six names (C. brachyanthum, C. danirae, C. flabellifolium, C. lucidum, C. rugendasii and C. tristachyum f. urbanii) are here lectotypified. Furthermore, remarks on implicit typifications by Harold Moldenke for another ten names (C. altamiranum, C. berlandieri, C. hexangulare, C. macradenium, C. ovatifolium, C. pauciflorum, C. pterocladum, C. recurvatum, C. schulzii and C. stenophyllum) are provided.     

Molecular phylogeny of Camponotus ants in Korea

The molecular phylogeny of 12 species of Camponotus ants in Korea was examined using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers as inputs for an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and cluster analysis to describe the relationships between species. For comparison, morphometric data (based on 10 morphological characters) were also gathered for phylogenetic analysis. Assessments of similarity between species were made, and the results of these assessments are compared for the molecular and morphological data sets. In the morphometric analysis, the following groups were identified: (i) C. atrox, C. kiusuensis, C. japonicus and C. concavus (93% similarity); (ii) C. sp. 1 (be diverging at 80% similarity); (iii) C. jejuensis, C. sp. 3, C. itoi, C. nawai and C. tokioensis (94.5% similarity); and (iv) C. nipponensis and C. quadrinotatus (94.5% similarity). Formica fusca was 73.5% similar to the 12 Camponotus species studied here. The group comprising C. nawai and C. tokioensis had the highest similarity index (97.36%), followed by the group comprising C. jejuensis and C. sp. 3 (95%), then C. atrox and C. kiusuensis (94.5%), and then C. nipponensis and C. quadrinotatus (93.5%). In the molecular analysis the following groups were identified: (i) C. atrox and C. jejuensis (30% similarity); (ii) C. concavus, C. japonicus and C. itoi (25% similarity); (iii) C. kiusuensis, C. nawai, C. sp. 3, C. nipponensis, C. quadrinotatus and C. sp. 1 (24% similarity); and (iv) C. tokioensis (be diverging at 23% similarity). The most closely related group in the molecular analysis was C. nawai and C. sp. 3 (75% similarity), followed by C. concavus and C. japonicus (50.5% similarity), then C. atrox and C. jejuensis (30%), and then C. quadrinotatus and C. sp. 1. Camponotus tokioensis was the least closely related to other species among the 12 species studied. Although C. jejuensis and C. tokioensis were found to be 93.6% similar on the basis of morphometric data, molecular data indicated only 23% similarity, the lowest similarity index between any two species considered here. Camponotus jejuensis has marked morphological similarities to C. tokioensis, but on the basis of molecular data gathered in the present study, we refute the proposal that they are synonyms or sister species.     

Occurrence of yeasts in psittacines droppings from captive birds in Italy

Three-hundred twenty five droppings from parrots raised in the premises of 4 breeders and in several private households were cultured for yeasts. One-hundred sixty droppings (49.2%) resulted positive. From these specimens 212 isolates belonging to 27 different species were obtained. Mainly Candida species such as C. albicans, C. catenulata, C. curvata, C. famata, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondi, C. holmii, C. intermedia, C. krusei, C. lambica, C. lusitaniae, C. membranaefaciens, C. parapsilosis, C. pelliculosa, C. sake and C. valida were isolated. Debaryomyces marama, D. polymorphus, Geotrichum sp., Pichia etchelsii, P. ohmeri, Rhodotorula glutinis, R. rubra, Rhodotorula sp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. kluyiveri and Zygosaccharomyces sp. were also obtained. Dark colonies on Staib medium were never observed. The psittacine birds apparently serve as carriers for several Candida species or their perfect states and to a lesser extent for other opportunistic yeasts such as Rhodotorula, Trichosporon and Saccharomyces spp., which are considered part of the transient microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract. The most striking finding was the absence of Cryptococcus spp. among the isolates. The present survey confirms the role of pet birds in carrying potential zoonotic yeasts. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic analysis of stunted growth by nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction in interspecific hybrids of Capsicum by using RAPD markers

When eight cultivars of Capsicum annuum were used as female parents in interspecific crosses with two accessions of C. chinense, dwarfism occurred in hybrids originating from 10 out of 16 combinations, while hybrids of the remaining 6 combinations grew normally. In contrast, when C. chinense was used as female parent, all of the hybrids showed severely stunted growth as if affected by a virus. These results suggested that the stunted growth expressed in the cross of C. chinense x C. annuum is caused by an interaction between nuclear gene(s) from C. annuum and the cytoplasm of C. chinense. To examine the number of nuclear gene(s) which cause(s) the stunted growth, we backcrossed F₁ hybrids of C. annuum x C. chinense to C. chinense. About one-quarter of the progeny in the backcrossed hybrids of C. chinense x (C. annuum x C. chinense) showed the same stunted growth shown by the f₁ hybrids of C. chinense x C. annuum, suggesting that two complementary genes of C. annuum cause the stunted growth. However, the higher abortion rates of ovules and lower germination percentage of seeds in C. chinense x C. annuum than in the selfed C. chinense implied that the genetic ratio of the stunted type would have been higher than that observed in the C. chinense x (C. annuum x C. chinense) progeny. We then attempted a linkage analysis between the stunted growth and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) of C. chinense x (C. annuum x C. chinense) progeny. A RAPD marker that associated with 94% of the stunted plants but not with 94% of the normal one was identified. This confirmed that a single nuclear gene of C. annuum which is linked to the RAPD marker with a recombination value of 6% causes the stunted growth in an interaction with the cytoplasm of C. chinense.     

Effects of mutual intercropping on cadmium accumulation by the accumulator plants Conyza canadensis,Cardamine hirsuta,and Cerastium glomeratum

In this study, three cadmium (Cd) accumulator species (Conyza canadensis, Cardamine hirsuta, and Cerastium glomeratum) were co-cultured in Cd-contaminated soil in pots to study the effects of intercropping on co-remediation. Only C. canadensis intercropped with C. glomeratum, C. hirsuta intercropped with C. glomeratum, and three-species intercropping increased plant biomass compared with their respective monocultures. The treatments of C. canadensis intercropped with C. glomeratum and three-species intercropping increased the Cd contents in roots and shoots of C. canadensis, whereas the other intercropping treatments decreased or had no significant impact on Cd contents. As for Cd accumulation, the treatments of C. canadensis intercropped with C. glomeratum, C. hirsuta intercropped with C. glomeratum, and three-species intercropping increased Cd accumulation in a single plant compared with that of their respective monocultures, whereas other intercropping treatments decreased Cd accumulation in individual plants. Only the treatments of C. canadensis intercropped with C. glomeratum and C. hirsuta intercropped with C. glomeratum increased Cd accumulation in shoots of a single pot compared with that of their respective monocultures. Therefore, C. canadensis intercropped with C. glomeratum and C. hirsuta intercropped with C. glomeratum may improve the phytoremediation efficiency for Cd-contaminated soil.     

Allozyme variation in Carex sect. Digitatae – Evidence of introgression, genetic distinctiveness and evolution of taxa

 A subset of populations of the European taxa of Carex sect. Digitatae, including Carex digitata, C. pallens, C. ornithopoda, C. pediformis ssp. rhizodes and C. humilis have been investigated for allozyme variation. The (presumably) distantly related C. pendula was used as a reference taxon. Carex digitata, C. pallens and C. ornithopoda on the one hand, and C. humilis and C. pediformis on the other, shared the majority of the alleles. Cluster analyses based on genetic distances grouped populations of C. digitata and C. ornithopoda in a mixed subcluster whereas all populations of C. pallens formed a subcluster distinct from the digitata/ornithopoda cluster. This in spite of the fact that C. ornithopoda is morphologically clearly distinct from C. digitata whereas C. pallens is barely distinguishable from the latter. Carex pediformis and C. humilis appeared not more genetically similar to C. digitata than to the reference taxon. It is concluded that 1) C. digitata, C. pallens and C. ornithopoda are closely related and most probably forms a monophyletic group, 2) C. pallens is a genetically distinct species, 3) C. pediformis and C. humilis are not closely related to the rest of C. sect. Digitatae, 4) C. pediformis and C. humilis are relatively closely related, 5) introgression do occur between the investigated species but not to such an extent that it can explain major geographic patterns of variation in C. digitata. Received December 21, 2001; accepted November 14, 2002 Published online: March 24, 2003     

Morphological features and chromosome numbers in cultures of five Cephaleuros species (Trentepohliaceae,Chlorophyta) from Japan

The morphological features and chromosome numbers were examined in cultures of five species of Cephaleuros; C. aucubae, C. biolophus, C. japonicus, C. microcellularis, and C. virescens, collected from Japan. On agar media of Bold's basal medium and CA medium, radial growth of the algal colonies was vigorous in C. virescens, moderate in C. aucubae, and poor in C. microcellularis, but varied from poor to moderate in isolates of C. biolophus and C. japonicus. Filaments of C. virescens branched at an angle less than 40° and just below the cross walls, while those of the other species branched at an angle greater than 40° without relation to the cross walls. The length of filamentous cells was significantly smaller in C. microcellularis than in the other species. The chromosome number differed with the species: n = 22 in C. aucubae, n = 34 in C. biolophus, n = 18 in C. japonicus, n = 12 in C. microcellularis, and n = 24 in C. virescens. The chromosome number did not vary between isolates from filaments and gametes in C. aucubae and C. biolophus and among those from filaments, gametes, and zoospores in C. japonicus and C. virescens.     

Phylogenetic relationships of species of Crenicichla (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from southern South America based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene

Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian inference, likelihood and parsimony methods was conducted on 60 complete mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences from 21 species of Crenicichla, including all species known from Uruguay (Crenicichla celidochilus, Crenicichla lepidota Crenicichla minuano, Crenicichla missioneira, Crenicichla punctata, Crenicichla scottii, Crenicichla vittata), Crenicichla compressiceps, Crenicichla empheres, Crenicichla geayi, Crenicichla iguassuensis, Crenicichla macrophthalma, Crenicichla menezesi, Crenicichla notophthalmus, Crenicichla regani, Crenicichla cf. regani, Crenicichla semifasciata, Crenicichla sveni, Crenicichla tendybaguassu, two unidentified species, and also two species of Teleocichla. Bayesian analysis resulted in a trichotomy with three major groups: (1) The C. missioneira species group (C. celidochilus, C. empheres, C. minuano, C. missioneira, C. tendybaguassu, and an undescribed species analyzed); (2) a group of southern species (C. iguassuensis, C. punctata, C. scottii, C. vittata); and (3) a rather heterogeneous group comprising the type species C. macrophthalma, members of the Crenicichla reticulata species group (C. geayi, C. semifasciata), members of the Crenicichla wallacii species group (C. compressiceps, C. notophthalmus, C. regani, C. cf. regani), members of the Crenicichla saxatilis species group (C. lepidota, C. menezesi, C. sveni, C. sp.), and two species of Teleocichla. Parsimony jackknifing resulted in a quadritomy with: (1) C. macrophthalma, (2) Teleocichla, (3) the saxatilis + wallacii group species, and (4) the rest, which include C. geayi and C. semifasciata as sister group to a dichotomy with the C. missioneira group and the remaining southern species. The sequence variation within the C. missioneira group is remarkably minor despite considerable morphological differences, supporting the conclusion that it forms an endemic species flock in the Uruguay River basin. Previously proposed species groups within the speciose genus Crenicichla (more than 90 species known) are partly corroborated. However, C. celidochilus was not previously associated with the C. missioneira species group, and C. vittata has not previously been associated with C. scottii, C. iguassuensis, or C. punctata. Crenicichla lepidota, C. sveni, C. menezesi and C. sp. represent the C. saxatilis group. Species of small size, representing the C. wallacii species group and Teleocichla are characterized by very long branches, and the position of Teleocichla differed considerably between the Bayesian and parsimony trees. This finding does not invalidate Teleocichla but rather suggests that the several monophyletic major clades within Crenicichla may need nominal recognition. A putative hybrid specimen with a morphology combining components from C. vittata and C. scottii, but with a cytochrome b sequence from C. scottii was found in a sample from the Rio Quaraí/Cuareim. Another putative hybrid specimen with a unique morphology but a cytochrome b sequence agreeing with C. scottii was found in a sample from Maldonado, but no other Crenicichla species than C. scottii is known from that locality.     

A STUDY OF CRYPTOLECHIA ZELLER (LEPIDOPTERA: OECOPHORIDAE) IN CHINA (I), WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF FIFTEEN NEW SPECIES

The present paper reports thirty‐three species of the genus Cryptolechia in China. Fifteen species are described as new to science: C. deflecta sp. nov., C. kangxianensis sp. nov., C. microbyrsa sp. nov., C. falsivespertina sp. nov., C. zhengi sp. nov., C. neargometra sp. nov., C. paranthaedeaga sp. nov., C. cornutivalvata sp. nov., C. fascirupta sp. nov., C. stictifascia sp. nov., C. jigongshanica sp. nov., C. mirabilis sp. nov., C. anthaedeaga sp. nov., C. gei sp. nov. and C. varifascirupta sp. nov. The genital structures of the new species are illustrated.     

Genetic polymorphism in Chondrilla (Asteraceae) in southern European Russia and the nature of Chondrilla juncea L

We studied genetic diversity in 54 populations of nine sexual and apomictic species of the genus Chondrilla (C. acantholepis, C. ambigua, C. brevirostris, C. canescens, C. graminea, C. juncea, C. laticoronata, C. latifolia and C. pauciflora) in SE European Russia and neighboring territories of NW Kazakhstan. We analysed the trnT–trnF region of plastid DNA and the internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2) using statistical parsimony, maximum likelihood and neighbor net methods. Two major evolutionary lineages, roughly corresponding to the two subgenera traditionally recognized in the region, were revealed. Within the first evolutionary lineage (subgenus Brachyrhynchus), the sexual diploid C. ambigua and its putatively hybrid apomictic derivatives C. brevirostris, C. laticoronata and C. pauciflora could be recognized. Their identity was also confirmed by analyses of ISSR markers. The second evolutionary lineage (subgenus Chondrilla) comprises C. juncea, C. acantholepis, C. canescens, C. graminea and C. latifolia in European Russia, but analyses of morphological variability and the genealogy of plastid and nuclear markers favor their treatment as the single facultatively apomictic species C. juncea. The results demonstrate that an apomictic mode of reproduction does not necessarily result in the formation of genetically separated microspecies.     

Vittia salina L.Hedenäs & J.Muñoz,sp. nov., a new moss from Argentina

Abstract

A survey of the species of Campylopus Brid. reported from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is presented. Of the 34 species that have been reported from this Island 16 are accepted at present. Campylopus nilghiriensis (Mitt.) Jaeg. is identical partly with C. goughii (Mitt.) Jaeg., partly with C. zollingerianus (C. Müll.) Bosch &; Lac., C. pseudogracilis Card. &; Dix. with C. goughii (Mitt.) Jaeg., C. caudatus (C. Müll.) Mont., C. reduncus (Reinw. &; Hornsch.) Bosch &; Lac. and C. trachythecius (C. Müll.) Jaeg. with C. comosus (Reinw. &; Hornsch.) Bosch &; Lac., C. herzogii Broth., C. subtricolor Lor. and probably also C. nodijlorus (C. Müll.) Jaeg. with C. aureus Bosch &; Lac., C nietneri (C. Müll.) Jaeg. with C. involutusz (C. Müll.) Jaeg., C. subgracilis Ren. &; Card. ex Gangulee and C. latinervis (Mitt.) Jaeg. with C. gracilis (Mitt.) Jaeg., and C. laetus (Mitt.) Jaeg. with C. savannarum (C. Müll.) Mitt. C. pterotoneuron (C. Müll.) Jaeg. is reduced to a variety of C. umbellatus (Arn.) Par. The occurrence of C. exasperatus Brid. on Sri Lanka could not be confirmed. Campylopus flagelliferus (C. Müll.) Jaeg. is reported as new to Sri Lanka.     

Foliar micro‐morphology of Carex sect. Phacocystis in northern Europe

A micro‐morphological analysis of leaf epidermis (adaxial and abaxial sides) of fifteen taxa of Carex section Phacocystis was carried out using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three taxa were epistomatic (C. nigra var. nigra, C.nigra var. juncea and C. subspathacea), seven taxa were hypostomatic (C. acuta, C. bigelowii ssp. bigelowii, C. bigelowii ssp. rigida, C. cespitosa, C. elata, C. lyngbyei and C. paleacea) and five amphistomatic (C. aquatilis, C.×halophila, C. rufina, C. stans and C. trinervis). Epidermal modifications such as prickles were present in many species. The micro‐morphological leaf characters of the investigated species were found to be important for distinguishing individual taxa but not for subsectional classification.     

Studies in African Cyperaceae 25. New taxa and combinations in Cyperus L.

Four new subgenera, nineteen new species, two new subspecies and two new varieties of Cyperus L. are described, viz. subgen. Aristomariscus Lye, subgen. Bulbomariscus Lye, subgen. Xerocyperus Lye, subgen. Micromariscus Lye, Cyperus micromariscus Lye, C. boreochrysocephalus Lye, C. crassivaginatus Lye, C. kyllingaeformis Lye, C. cremeomariscus Lye, C. gigantobulbes Lye, C. boreobellus Lye, C. longi–involucralus Lye, C. kwaleensis Lye, C. afrovaricus Lye, C. afrodunensis Lye, C flavoculmis Lye, C microumbellatus Lye, C. purpureoviridis Lye, C. graciliculmis Lye, C. afromon–tanus Lye, C. nyererei Lye, C. afroalpinus Lye, C castaneobellus Lye, C. soyauxii Boeck. ssp. pallescens Lye, C. usitatus Burch. ssp. palmatus Lye, C. renschii Boeck. var. scabridus Lye, and C. fischerianus A. Rich. var. ugandensis Lye. The following new combinations are made: Cyperus L. subgen. Bulbocaulis (C.B.C1.) Lye, Cyperus L. subgen. Courtoisia (Nees) Lye, Cyperus L. subgen. Sorostachys (Steudel) Lye, Cyperus L. subgen. Remirea (Aublet) Lye, Cyperus L. subgen. Alinula (Raynal) Lye, Cyperus lipocarphoides (Kükenth.) Lye, C. malawicus (Raynal) Lye, C. tanganyica–nus (Kiikenth.) Lye, C. mortonii (Hooper) Lye, C. pseudodiaphanus (Hooper) Lye, C. overlaetii (Hooper & Raynal) Lye, C. dewildeorum (Raynal) Lye, C. pagotii (Raynal) Lye, C. demangei (Raynal) Lye, C. afroechinatus Lye, C. niveus Retz. var. ledermannii (Kiikenth.) Lye, C. niveus Retz. var. tisserantii (Cherm.) Lye, C. distans L.f. ssp. longibracteatus (Cherm.) Lye, C. distans L.f. ssp. longibracteatus (Cherm.) Lye, var. rubrotinctus (Cherm.) Lye, C. cyperoides (L.) Kuntze ssp. alternifolius (Vahl) Lye, C. cyperoides (L.) Kuntze ssp. macrocarpus (Kunth) Lye, C. cyperoides (L.) Kuntze ssp. pseudoflavus (Clarke) Lye, C. dubius Rottb. ssp. macrocephalus (Kiikenth.) Lye, C. dubius Rottb. ssp. coloratus (Vahl) Lye, C. usitatus Burch. var. stuhlmannii (Clarke) Lye, C. laxus Lam. ssp. sylvestris (Ridley) Lye, and C. laxus Lam. ssp. buchholzii (Boeck.) Lye and C. globifer (Clarke) Lye.     

Chauhanellus Bychowsky & Nagibina, 1969 (Monogenea) from ariid fishes (Siluriformes) of Peninsular Malaysia

Twelve new species of Chauhanellus Bychowsky & Nagibina, 1969 have been found on six species of ariid from Peninsular Malaysia: Chauhanellus trifidus n. sp., C. digitalis n. sp., C. malayanus n. sp., C. forcipis n. sp. and C. intermedius n. sp. from Arius sagor; C. aspinous n. sp. from Arius venosus; C. caelatus n. sp. from Arius caelatus; C. auriculatum n. sp., C. poculus n. sp. and C. pulutanus n. sp. from Arius maculatus; C. duriensis n. sp. from Arius thalassinus; and C. osteogeneiosi n. sp. from Osteogeneiosus militaris. Some of these Chauhanellus species possess characteristics that are not commonly observed in the genus. C. aspinous n. sp., C. intermedius n. sp. and C. digitalis n. sp. exhibit features found in both Chauhanellus and Hamatopeduncularia: these include absence of spines on the mainpart of the dorsal anchors in C. aspinous n. sp. and C. intermedius n. sp. and presence of haptoral digitation in C. digitalis n. sp. Other features are the five transverse rows of peduncular spines in C. duriensis n. sp., ear-like projections on the anchors in C. auriculatum n. sp., and thin sclerotised plates that partly envelope the ventral anchors in C. forcipis n. sp. Mid-dorsal appendices occur on the dorsal bars of seven of the present species.     

Cytogeography of European perennial species of Cyanus (Asteraceae)

To reveal the general cytogeographical pattern of Cyanus section Protocyanus in Europe, DNA ploidy and/or chromosome numbers were newly examined for 160 populations by flow cytometry (450 plants) and/or chromosome counting (30 plants). Furthermore, previously published karyological data were revised (236 records). Our analyses confirmed chromosome counts of 2n = 22 for all newly investigated samples of the C. triumfetti group (the records for C. semidecurrens and C. ternopoliensis are new), C. diospolitanus and C. achtarovii; 2n = 44 for C. montanus and C. mollis; and 2n = 20 for C. lingulatus, C. napulifer, C. nissanus, C. orbelicus, C. thirkei, C. tuberosus and C. velenovskyi. The chromosome count of 2n = 20 is the first report for C. epirotus. The cytotype 2n = 40 was newly recorded for the Crimean endemic C. fuscomarginatus and Calabrian and Greek populations of C. graminifolius. The cytotypes 2n = 20 and 2n = 40 were confirmed for C. pindicola. For the first time triploidy (2n～3x～30) was found in C. nissanus, C. thirkei and in a newly discovered hybrid, C. epirotus × C. graminifolius. Two contrasting ecogeographical patterns emerged: cytotypes derived from the base chromosome number x = 11 (2n = 22, 44) are widespread in northern latitudes and ecologically diverse, whereas cytotypes with x = 10 (2n = 20, 30, 40) are confined to mountains in southern Europe. In general, tetraploids have smaller ranges than diploids. The new combinations Cyanus section Protocyanus (Dobrocz.) Ol?avská comb. nov. and Cyanus ternopoliensis (Dobrocz.) Ol?avská comb. nov. are provided. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 230–257.     

Comparison of pollen grain morphological features of selected species of the genus Crataegus (Rosaceae) and their spontaneous hybrids

The aim of our study was to verify, on the basis of statistical analyses of nine quantitative morphological features of pollen grains, the hypothesis that pollen grains of three parental species of Crataegus (C. laevigata, C. monogyna, C. rhipidophylla) differed from the pollen of three spontaneous hybrids of these species (C. × macrocarpa, C. × media, C. × subsphaericea). Contrast analysis revealed that a majority of the pollen features of hybrid species were characterized by significantly higher mean values than those of parental species. Analysis of pollen shape classes indicated that the parental species clearly differed from each other in contrast with hybrids, which were characterized by a similar proportion of pollen in individual pollen shape classes. Statistical analyses showed that the pollen grains of two parental species, C. laevigata and C. monogyna, were most similar to one another. Pollen grains of typical C. rhipidophylla were similar to the pollen of hybrids and the mean values of almost all studied pollen features [P, E, Exp, Exp/P, Le, d, d/E (PAI)] of C. rhipidophylla var. rhipidophylla were intermediate between those of C. monogyna and C. rhipidophylla var. lindmanii. This corroborates Zieliński's conjecture that C. rhipidophylla is probably an old, conserved hybrid between C. monogyna and C. calycina (= C. lindmanii = C. rhipidophylla var. lindmanii). According to the analysis of canonical variables, C. × macrocarpa and C. × media pollen grains were most similar. C. × subsphaericea and C. rhipidophylla var. rhipidophylla and C. rhipidophylla var. lindmanii formed another pair (group), and C. monogyna and C. laevigata constituted separate ‘single species groups’. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172 , 555–571.     

Intra- and inter-specific effects of mast seeding on seed fates of two sympatric <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corylus</Emphasis> species

We released seeds of two sympatric tree species, Corylus mandshurica (seed with thinner seed hull, higher nutrition) and C. heterophylla (seeds with thicker seed hull, lower nutrition) in the masting year of C. mandshurica in 2008, and C. heterophylla in 2009, respectively, to investigate how seed masting of the two sympatric Corylus species affects seed removal and dispersal fitness of the two species differently at both intra- and inter-specific levels. At intra-specific level, the authors found mast seeding of both C. mandshurica and C. heterophylla significantly reduced seed removal, seed consumption, but increased seed dispersal distance and seed dispersal fitness of the released seeds. Mast seeding of C. mandshurica increased seed caching of C. mandshurica. At inter-specific level, the authors found mast seeding of C. mandshurica reduced seed removal of C. heterophylla, but mast seeding of C. heterophylla did not significantly reduce seed removal of C. mandshurica. Mast seeding of C. mandshurica reduced seed consumption of C. heterophylla, while mast seeding of C. heterophylla reduced seed consumption of C. mandshurica. We found mast seeding of C. mandshurica significantly reduced seed dispersal distance of C. heterophylla, while mast seeding of C. heterophylla significantly increased seed dispersal distance of C. mandshurica. We found that mast seeding of C. mandshurica significantly increased seed dispersal fitness of C. heterophylla, while mast seeding of C. heterophylla did not significantly increase seed dispersal fitness of C. mandshurica. More studies are needed to reveal the ecological consequences of mast seeding at inter-specific or community-level. Seed traits may attribute the differences of mast seeding at inter-specific level. Because seeds with thinner seed hull and higher nutrition were more harvested and eaten by rodents, mast seeding of C. mandshurica might have reduced seed removal and seed consumption, but increased dispersal fitness of C. heterophylla (seeds with thicker seed hull, lower nutrition). Therefore, synchrony among species is, or is not, selectively beneficial to the focus species depends on seed traits which determine gains from mast seeding at inter-specific level.     

Isozymes,Speciation and Evolution in the Polyploid Complex Cochlearia L. (Brassicaceae)

Within the genus Cochlearia L. sect. Cochlearia three isozyme systems (aspartate aminotransferase, leucine aminopeptidase and phosphoglucomutase) have been analysed at the populational level for eleven species with different ploidy levels. Nine loci complexes were resolved with a total of 33 alleles from 89 populations. In general, polyploids displayed higher numbers of alleles per species and per population. A notable exception is diploid C. pyrenaica with as many alleles as some polyploids. Data support: (1) the origin of tetraploid C. officinalis from C. pyrenaica s.l., particularly from C. aestuaria; (2) the allopolyploid origin of octoploid C. anglica from C. officinalis; (3) the allopolyploid origin of hexaploid inland taxa C. polonica, C. tatrae and C. bavarica via hybridization between C. pyrenaica and C. officinalis; (4) a putative allopolyploid origin of hexaploid coastal species C. danica by hybridization between C. pyrenaica s.l. and C. officinalis accompanied by a shift in chromosome complement. A scenario summarizing our present understanding of the evolution within Cochlearia sect. Cochlearia is presented.