亚洲疣猴面颅和脑颅的比较研究

对亚洲疣猴123个头骨的面颅和脑颅的14项变量作了分析。讨论了东亚古环境的变迁对亚洲疣猴辐射的影响。据分析结果,似乎获得了几个新结论:1)亚洲疣猴可能还有另一条迁移路线——沿特蒂斯海北岸的西藏南部进入我国横断山区,故它们可能有两个分化或辐射中心,即“Sundaland”和我国的横断山地区;2)Nasalis(2n=48)可能是亚洲疣猴中最原始的一个属;3)Pygathrix与Presbytiscus具有最大的相似性,但前者与Phinopithecus相差甚远;4)Phinopithecus无论面颅和脑颅或是起源都是亚洲疣猴中更为特化的一个属。提出了亚洲疣猴系统发育支序图。     

Mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences of old world monkeys: With special reference on evolution of Asian colobines

The classification and phylogenetic relationships of the Old World monkeys are still controversial. For Asian colobines, from three to nine genera were recognized by different primatologists. In the present study, we have sequenced a 424 bp mitochondrial tRNA^Thr gene and cytochrome b gene fragment fromMacaca mulatta, Mandrillus sphinx, Mandrillus leucophaeus, Semnopithecus entellus, Trachypithecus vetulus, T. johnii, T. phayrei, T. francoisi, Pygathrix nemaeus, Rhinopithecus roxellanae, R. bieti, R. avunculus, Nasalis larvatus, andColobus polykomos in order to gain independent information on the classification and phylogenetic relationships of those species. Phylogenetic trees were constructed with parsimony analysis by weighting transversions 5 or 10 fold greater than transitions. Our results support the following conclusions: (1) the Old World monkeys are divided into two subfamilies; (2) that among the colobines,Colobus, the African group, diverged first, andNasalis andRhinopithecus form a sister clade toPygathrix; (3) that there are two clades within leaf monkeys, i.e. 1)S. entellus, T. johnii, andT. vetulus, and 2)T. phayrei andT. francoisi; (4) thatRhinopithecus avunculus, R. roxellanae, andR. bieti are closely related to each other, and they should be placed into the same subgenus; (5) thatRhinopithecus is a distinct genus; and (6) that the ancestors of Asian colobines migrated from Africa to Asia during the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene.     

Asian colobine social structure: Ecological and evolutionary constraints

Both ecological and phylogenetic factors and their interaction influence primate social structure. Food resources, in particular, affect social structure parameters such as sex/age composition, group size, home range size, and individual density. As a group, the Asian colobines may be partially buffered from the impact of food constraints on social structure, given their specialized digestive physiology. Asian colobines are able to subsist on mature foliage, a relatively abundant and non-patchily distributed resource, when preferred foods are not available. In food limited populations, increases in group size or density should cause increases in home range size. We did not find this relationship for Asian colobines, however, and thus it would appear that the majority of Asian colobine populations are below carrying capacity. Food may be less of a limitation to populations than other factors, such as social stress. The formation of bands (associations between relatively stable groups) has been documented for bothNasalis andRhinopithecus, and based on recent data for severalPresbytis andTrachypithecus species, we predict that band formation is the norm for the Asian colobines, includingPygathrix. Group home ranges forPresbytis andTrachypithecus species typically overlap and both intergroup tolerance and intergroup aggression are observed. This suggests that groups form differentiated relationships, tolerating some groups but not others. Such differentiated relationships are the foundation of band formation.     

Phylogenetic relationships among the colobine monkeys revisited: new insights from analyses of complete mt genomes and 44 nuclear non-coding markers

Background

Phylogenetic relationships among Asian and African colobine genera have been disputed and are not yet well established. In the present study, we revisit the contentious relationships within the Asian and African Colobinae by analyzing 44 nuclear non-coding genes (>23 kb) and mitochondrial (mt) genome sequences from 14 colobine and 4 non-colobine primates.

Principal Findings

The combined nuclear gene and the mt genome as well as the combined nuclear and mt gene analyses yielded different phylogenetic relationships among colobine genera with the exception of a monophyletic ‘odd-nosed’ group consisting of Rhinopithecus, Pygathrix and Nasalis, and a monophyletic African group consisting of Colobus and Piliocolobus. The combined nuclear data analyses supported a sister-grouping between Semnopithecus and Trachypithecus, and between Presbytis and the odd-nosed monkey group, as well as a sister-taxon association of Pygathrix and Rhinopithecus within the odd-nosed monkey group. In contrast, mt genome data analyses revealed that Semnopithecus diverged earliest among the Asian colobines and that the odd-nosed monkey group is sister to a Presbytis and Trachypithecus clade, as well as a close association of Pygathrix with Nasalis. The relationships among these genera inferred from the analyses of combined nuclear and mt genes, however, varied with the tree-building methods used. Another remarkable finding of the present study is that all of our analyses rejected the recently proposed African colobine paraphyly and hybridization hypothesis and supported reciprocal monophyly of the African and Asian groups.

Significance

The phylogenetic utility of large-scale new non-coding genes was assessed using the Colobinae as a model, We found that these markers were useful for distinguishing nodes resulting from rapid radiation episodes such as the Asian colobine radiation. None of these markers here have previously been used for colobine phylogenetic reconstruction, increasing the spectrum of molecular markers available to mammalian systematics.     

Phylogeny of Snub-Nosed Monkeys Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA,Cytochrome B,and 12S rRNA Sequences

Snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus spp.) are confined to isolated mountainous regions in China and North Vietnam. Their systematic classification and phylogenetic relationship has been controversial. The structures of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b and 12S rRNA show that the 4 species of Rhinopithecus are quite different from other colobines. It is reasonable to regard them as an independent genus, as determined by external features, morphometric characters and behavior. However, whether or not there should be a subdivision between the Vietnamese and Chinese species at the subgeneric level remains to be clarified; more evidence from a large range of Asian colobine species is needed. The Guizhou species, Rhinopithecus brelichi, is a valid species, which is more closely related to Pygathrix than the other species ( R. roxellana, R. bieti and R. avunculus) are. Results also indicate that 3 species—Rhinopithecus roxellana, R. bieti and R. avunculus—might have diverged from R. brelichi, but the phylogenetic relationship of R. avunculus is not clear.     

Evolution of Multilevel Social Systems in Nonhuman Primates and Humans

Multilevel (or modular) societies are a distinct type of primate social system whose key features are single-male–multifemale, core units nested within larger social bands. They are not equivalent to fission–fusion societies, with the latter referring to routine variability in associations, either on an individual or subunit level. The purpose of this review is to characterize and operationalize multilevel societies and to outline their putative evolutionary origins. Multilevel societies are prevalent in three primate clades: papionins, Asian colobines, and hominins. For each clade, we portray the most parsimonious phylogenetic pathway leading to a modular system and then review and discuss likely socioecological conditions promoting the establishment and maintenance of these societies. The multilevel system in colobines (most notably Rhinopithecus and Nasalis) has likely evolved as single-male harem systems coalesced, whereas the multilevel system of papionins (Papio hamadryas, Theropithecus gelada) and hominins most likely arose as multimale–multifemale groups split into smaller units. We hypothesize that, although ecological conditions acted as preconditions for the origin of multilevel systems in all three clades, a potentially important catalyst was intraspecific social threat, predominantly bachelor threat in colobines and female coercion/infanticide in papionins and humans. We emphasize that female transfers within bands or genetic relationships among leader males help to maintain modular societies by facilitating interunit tolerance. We still lack a good or even basic understanding of many facets of multilevel sociality. Key remaining questions are how the genetic structure of a multilevel society matches the observed social effort of its members, to what degree cooperation of males of different units is manifest and contributes to band cohesion, and how group coordination, communication, and decision making are achieved. Affiliative and cooperative interunit relations are a hallmark of human societies, and studying the precursors of intergroup pacification in other multilevel primates may provide insights into the evolution of human uniqueness.     

青藏高原跳甲亚科昆虫区系研究

讨论青藏高原（包括横断山区）的跳甲亚科昆虫区系。该区已知47属228种。1）据属级阶元的分布类型分析,以东洋属和南型属种显占优势,是区系主体,显示该区跳甲区系的热带渊源,其中高山属种赋予该区以高山区系特征;2）该区物种分化活跃,是某些多种属中国种类的分布中心和分化中心;3）联系中国跳甲亚科区系,在地理分布格局上显示西－东分布,如Hespera属的分布和西南－东北分布或西南－东北的间断分布格局,如Pentamesa和Stenoluperus属的分布。这种地理分布格局反映青藏高原的隆起给中国昆虫区系带来重要影响。     

Snub‐nosed monkeys: Multilevel societies across varied environments

The ecology and behavior of the four species of Rhinopithecus, snub‐nosed monkeys, are rapidly becoming well known. New field studies reveal in depth the striking adaptations of these colobines. Diets range from those typical for tropical colobines to diets dominated by lichens. The monkeys form bands, at times consisting of more than 400 individuals; these bands are based on the one‐male, multi‐female units common in colobines. We review the diet, range use, and social organization of snub‐nosed monkeys, and then explore the power of socioecological theory to explain their multilevel social organization.     

Phylogenetic position of the langur genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Semnopithecus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachypithecus</Emphasis> among Asian colobines,and genus affiliations of their species groups

Background  

The evolutionary history of the Asian colobines is less understood. Although monophyly of the odd-nosed monkeys was recently confirmed, the relationships among the langur genera Presbytis, Semnopithecus and Trachypithecus and their position among Asian colobines remained unclear. Moreover, in Trachypithecus various species groups are recognized, but their affiliations are still disputed. To address these issues, mitochondrial and Y chromosomal sequence data were phylogenetically related and combined with presence/absence analyses of retroposon integrations.     

Seasonality of group size,feeding, and breeding in wild red‐shanked douc langurs (Lao PDR)

In Asian colobines, small one‐male groups (OMG) seem to predominate alongside all‐male groups (AMG), while larger multimale groups (MMG) are rare, but are reported for Hanuman langurs and red‐shanked douc langurs. Recently, however, it has been speculated that the genus Pygathrix could have multilevel societies based on (1) a theoretical extension of the multilevel societies found in Rhinopithecus to all odd‐nosed colobines and (2) first data for black‐shanked douc langurs. This assumes bands composed of small OMG with a skewed adult sex ratio. Band size may vary with seasonal food availability resulting in smaller bands when feeding competition is increased. To investigate the social organization of red‐shanked douc langurs and potential seasonal influences, we observed 2 unhabituated groups at Hin Namno National Protected Area, Lao PDR from March 2007 to August 2008 for 803 hr. We recorded births and performed group counts and scan sampling of feeding behavior. Most births (79% of N = 15) occurred from June–September, indicating a 4‐month peak conception season from November to February. Group size averaged 24.5 individuals (range 17–45) with 2.45 adult males (range 1–4). Although the smaller group remained at a stable size (about 18 individuals), the larger group reduced from about 45 to 25 individuals during the 7‐months long lean season, when less than 50% of the feeding time was spent on fruits. This suggests feeding competition as a potential cause of seasonal variation in group size. With 1.9 females per male the skew in adult sex ratio was much lower compared with Rhinopithecus, indicating MMG rather than multilevel societies. However, data on the spacing and interaction patterns between recognized individuals need to be collected and analyzed before the social organization can be determined. Detailed ecological data are furthermore required to investigate the basis for the seasonal changes in group size found. Am. J. Primatol. 73:1134–1144, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Molecular evidence for the phylogenetic position ofHanabusaya asiatica Nakai (Campanulaceae), an endemic species in Korea

The phylogenetic relationship of the Korean endemic genus,Hanabusaya, to other campanulaceous genera has been controversial since it was described by Nakai in 1911. Three genera of Campanuloideae,Symphyandra, Adenophora, andCampanula, have been considered closely related by various taxonomists on the basis of anther shape, gross morphology, and pollen characters, respectively. We have tested these competing taxonomic hypotheses using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA from 12 taxa representing 7 genera of Campanulaceae. The molecular phylogeny indicates strongly thatHanabusaya is more closely allied toAdenophora than toCampanula orSymphyandra. The phylogenetic affinity ofHanabusaya andAdenophora is supported by a 100% bootstrap value and a high decay index (13). The average sequence divergence value (Kimura’s 2-parameter method) betweenHanabusaya and theAdenophora species is 2.58. The value is significantly (about ten times) lower than the ones observed betweenHanabusaya and the species ofCampanula (average of 23.52) and betweenHanabusaya andSymphyandra (24.95). The ITS sequence phylogeny suggests that some morphological characters, such as fused anthers and corolla shape, are homoplastic in the Campanulaceae genera.     

三角草属和冠毛草属的系统关系与地理分布的初步研究

根据外部形态上小穗的结构特征分析了针茅族中三角草属和冠毛草属的系统发育关系,并结合地理分布和生境条件对两属植物的起源中心进行了探讨。结果表明:三角草属和冠毛草属是针茅族中亲缘关系最近的类群;冠毛草属高级于三角草属;三角草属中的三角草是两属植物中最原始的种型,它可能既派生了属内的假冠毛草,同时又派生了属外绝灭了的黑穗茅祖种,而黑穗茅祖种又在自身属内间接衍生出了冠毛草和单蕊冠毛草;冠毛草属和三角草属皆起源于我国的西藏地区,其中三角草属可能源于西藏西部,冠毛草属可能源于西藏东部。     

Reproductive morphology ofMegaleranthis saniculifolia Ohwi (Ranunculaceae) and its systematic implications

To confirm the taxonomic treatment ofMegaleranthis saniculifolia Ohwi, an endemic genus and species in Korea, we compared its reproductive morphological characteristics with those ofTrollius and other genera within the Ranunculaceae. Although its external morphology might suggest thatMegaleranthis differs fromTrollius, Calathodes, and etc., we found no distinctly different features in this genus. Likewise, previous studies of their pollen structures, chromosome data, and petal morphology have indicated no differences betweenMegaleranthis andTrollius. In fact, related genera share similar characteristics, such as a tetrasporangia anther, glandular tapetum, simultaneous cytokinesis, an anatropous and bitegmic ovule, embryo sac formation of thePolygonum type, exarillate and copious albuminous seed, and several apocarps. Although the unique feature of having both tenuinucellate and crassinucellate ovules simultaneously may initially seem particular toMegaleranthis, it is present in other genera of the same family. Therefore, based on this evidence of reproductive morphology and other information, we suggest thatM. saniculifolia is closely related toTrollius, and should be included within that genus, i.e., asT. chosenensis Ohwi. Nevertheless, we have tentatively placedMegaleranthis within its own monotypic and endemic genus until definitive data become available.     

A Phylogeny of Chinese Leaf Monkeys Using Mitochondrial ND3-ND4 Gene Sequences

The phylogeny of Chinese leaf monkeys, especially the snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus), has not been thoroughly investigated using molecular sequence data, perhaps due to their rarity in the wild and their poor representation in institutional collections. Despite several proposed classifications, systematic relationships of these species remain poorly defined and this has hindered their conservation. To clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the leaf monkey clade in China, we sequenced the mitochondrial ND3, ND4L, ND4, tRNA ^Arg , tRNA ^His , tRNA ^Ser , and tRNA ^Leu genes for Rhinopithecus bieti, R. roxellana, Trachypithecus francoisi, T. f. leucocephalus, and T. phayrei as well as Pygathrix nemaeus and Colobus guereza. We included a total of 2252 characters for each individual, excluding gaps in primary sequences. Our interpretation of the results from character-and distance-based phylogenetic analyses suggest that (1) Pygathrix nemaeus is sister to Rhinopithecus rather than to Trachypithecus though it is quite divergent from the former; (2) the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, Rhinopithecus bieti, represents a valid species; (3) the white-headed leaf monkey is not a distinct species, but instead is a subspecies of Trachypithecus francoisi (T. f. leucocephalus), though it should still be considered a separate evolutionary significant unit (ESU); and (4) because two individuals of the Phayrei's leaf monkey, T. phayrei, are genetically distinct from one another, a more extensive revision of the taxonomy of this putative species in China is needed. These results, plus ongoing work on the molecular systematics of the entire Asian leaf monkey radiation, can provide a sound basis for identifying the appropriate units of conservation for this endangered group of primates.     

On Genera Endemic to China and Occurring in Xizang Plateau Flora

The Xizang (Tibetan) flora with numerous endemics is of importance in Chinese flora. According to recent statistics there are in Xizang 27 genera of spermatophytes endemic to China, being only 2.25% percent of the total number of genera in the Xizang flora. Four of them are regarded as palaeoendemics (14.81%) and the others as neoendemics (85.19%). These endemic genera, of 30 species and 3 varieties, belong to 17 families, of which, Umbelliferae contains 6 genera, 7 species and 3 varieties; Compositae has 6 genera and 7 species, and Gentianaceae 1 genus and 2 species. All the other families each comprises one genus with a single species. The cosmopolitan families together comprising 14 genera with 15 species have the highest perecentage (52.92%) and the tropical ones (5 families, 5 genera with 5 species) come to the next (29.42%), followed by the temperate ones (3 families, 10 genera with 10 species) (17.66%). It shows that these endemic genera are obviously related to the tropical flora and temperate one in essence. According to the number of species, the genera endemic to China and occurring in Xizang flora may be grouped as fallows. Monotypic endemic ones 14 (51.85%) Ditypic endemic ones 6 (22.22%) Oligotypic endemic ones 4 (14.81%) Small endemic ones 3 (11.11%) The formation of the endemic genera is correlated with the topography, climate and environmental conditions, and they may have resulted from the diversification in geography and climatic influence for a long time. The southeastern part of Xizang Plateau is of very diverse ecological conditions, with the adequate precipitation, which may explain the concentration of these endemic genera in this region. The largest similarity coefficient (38.30%) of the genera endemic to China and occurring in Xizang is with those in Qinghai Plateau, next, with those in Yunnan and in Sichuan provinces (both 27.60%), which shows that these endemic genera are related to the floras of the regions mentioned above. The difference in the horizontal distribution of these endemic genera is obviously between the southern and northern parts of Xizang Plateau. The vertical distribution of the genera is also rather obvious, from 800 m to 5200 m above sea level, but concentrated in the zone of 3000 m to 4500 mm. Therefore their occurrence in Xizang is not only affected by the historical environmental conditions but also controlled by the horizontal and vertical distribution. The origin and evolution of some endemic genera, such as Psammosilene, Parateropyrum, Sphaerotylos, Salweenia, Ajaniopsis, Xizangia, Sinoleontopodium, are discussed in this paper. Parateropyrum, a monotypic palaeotropic endemic, belongs to the tribe Atraphaxideae including Atraphaxis, Calligonum and Pteropyrum. It may be a comparatively advanced group in the tribe, and is closely related to the genus Pteropyrum which is distributed in western Asia. The genus Parapteropyrum has possibly survived as a palaetropic-tertiary relic in this region. Sphaerotylos, a member of the subtribe Sphaerotylinae, the tribe Boehmerieae in the family Urticaceae, is a comparatively primitive genus in the tribe Boehmerieae so far known. As the other subtribes, such as Boehmerinae, Sarconchlamydinae, Orecnidinae and Maoutinae, are distributed in the tropics, rarely in the subtropics, the genus is no doubt a palaetropic -tertiary relic. Sinoleontopodium, belonging to the tribe lnuleae in Compositae, is also related to the genus Leontopodium. It is probable that the genus Sinoleontopodium arised later than the other. We come to the conclusion that the southern part of Xizang Plateau is also one of thecentres of the origin and differentiation of genera endemic to China.     

The Asian Golobinae (Mammalia: Cercopithecidae) as indicators of Quaternary climatic change

A reappraisal of the zoogeography and systematics of Asian colobines demonstrates marked discontinuities in their distribution. The Bornean proboscis monkey is separated by Sumatra from its sole congener on the Mentawai Islands. Pygathrix species have a discontinuous distribution at the range limit of the Asian Colobinae. The existence in the Himalayas of some disjunct relatives of the south Indian fauna, has obscured a wider disjunction in which for example, the hooded black leaf monkey, Semnopithecus johnii, has one subspecies in southern India and another in north Vietnam. A closely related Vietnamese leaf monkey is a subspecies of the otherwise Indonesian S. auralus. Presbytis comata is disjunct between west Java, northern Sumatra and northern Borneo. The Mentawai Islands P. potenziani is closely related. Biogeographic parallels imply a common cause and previous continuity across the intervening areas. The only wholly compatible explanation is that the disjunct areas alone retained adequate moisture and temperature to support their endemic biota during a cool drought. That not only genera, but species are disjunct, indicates such conditions prevailed recendy, and are probably attributable to the Pleistocene glaciations. The supposition that its maritime climate shielded Asian rainforest from the glacial drought known to have partially deforested Africa and South America, is inapplicable to the Indian subcontinent, and ignores the climatic effects of the emergence of the Sunda and the Sahul shelves. Such known influences, the distribution of drought indicator plants, fossil plants and fossil mammals, grassland birds and freshwater fish, and the anatomical specializations of Nasalis confirm the instability of the Asian environment. The absence of endemic representatives of certain primates in north Sumatra implies the occurrence of two cold droughts. Available evidence appears to correlate the deforestations with the abrupt curtailment of glacial Stages 7 and 5, at about 190 000 years BP and about 80 000 years BP. The greater significance of climatic than topographical barriers in delineating the Oriental zoogeographic region, and a rapid speciation rate, is implied. Morphological change is evidently generated by geographic dispersal, rather than geographic isolation.     

西藏列当科新记录属——豆列当属

在西藏八宿县然乌镇安久拉山垭口进行植物多样性调查时,发现一种寄生植物,经过查阅文献、核对模式标本,最终鉴定为列当科(Orobanchaceae)豆列当属(Mannagettaea)植物矮生豆列当(Mannagettaea hummelii H. Smith)。该种分布在中国及俄罗斯(萨彦岭地区),国内记载仅分布在甘肃、青海、四川;西藏为新记录属。该发现丰富了西藏的植物区系,同时将矮生豆列当分布海拔提升至4 459 m。凭证标本现存于中国科学院昆明植物研究所标本馆(KUN)。     

亚洲疣猴与猕猴牙齿的比较

为了研究亚洲疣猴牙齿形态与功能适应性之间的关系,建立异速生长公式比较分析生活于同一大陆的猕猴。主成份分析用来分析来自异速生长公式的残差。结果表明:疣猴出乎意料地展示了比猕猴更小的门齿。导致此结果的可能原因是:疣猴与猕猴之间的食物差异性。但是,这种差异小于亚-非大陆种类。也就是说,在过去的500万年左右的时间里,生活于同一大陆的疣猴和猕猴已经产生了一些对环境和食性的趋同性。当每一个疣猴属分别与猕猴进行比较时,它们之间的差异性揭示了地理分布的差异。金丝猴(Rhinopithecus)和长尾叶猴(Semnopithecus)具有比其他疣猴发达的臼齿。欧氏距离的结果说明疣猴和猕猴牙齿的差异性揭示了它们在系统发育方面的关系。     

Phylogenetic relationships among genera of Massonieae (Hyacinthaceae) inferred from plastid DNA and seed morphology

The tribe Massonieae Baker (Hyacinthaceae-Hyacinthoideae) presently consists of about 19 genera and 230 species distributed from Africa (south of the Sahara) to Madagascar and India. Based on atpB and trnL-F DNA sequences the tribe is monophyletic only when the genus Pseudoprospero is excluded from Massonieae. In most trnL-F trees, this genus occupies a basal position within subfamily Hyacinthoideae and is sister to the rest of the subfamily. Molecular data suggest that the remaining genera of Massonieae do not share common ancestry with the Eurasian/North-African tribe Hyacintheae Dumort. (Scilla, Hyacinthus and allies), and thus a narrow concept of the essentially Eurasian genus Scilla is supported. Members of well-supported clades in Massonieae usually show similarities in seed characteristics as determined by scanning electron microscopy. Phylogenetic position and seed morphology indicate that Massonia angustifolia and M. zeyheri do not belong to the genus Massonia but fall into a clade together with Daubenya, Androsiphon and Amphisiphon. The genus Whiteheadia appears paraphyletic in the 50% majority rule trnL-F tree and occupies a basal position next to Massonia. However, in the strict consensus tree neither monophyly nor polyphyly can be excluded for this genus. Seed appendages are documented for members of the genera Ledebouria and Lachenalia. Within the genera of Massonieae there is a tendency towards bending of the seed axis. This phenomenon is most obvious within the genus Lachenalia. Delimitation of genera based on seed morphology largely agrees with the results of molecular studies. Correlation between number, size and color of seeds, geographical distribution and phylogenetic position of the genera are discussed. Electronic Publication