THE GENUS BALLIELLA ITONO & TANAKA (RHODOPHYTA: CERAMIACEAE) FROM EASTERN AUSTRALIA1

Three new species of the genus Balliella Itono & Tanaka are described from eastern Australia. Balliella amphiglanda from Lord Howe I. and Port Hacking, N.S.W., is distinctive in producing either abaxial or adaxial gland cells from the basal cells of lateral branches and in having tetrasporangia restricted to short branches. Balliella repens, from Tryon I., Heron I and Wistari Reef Qld., and Lord Howe I., N.S.W., is distinguished from the other species of the genus by its regularly developed prostrate systems and clustered tetrasporangia. Balliella grandis, from Wistari Reef, North West I. and One Tree I., Qld., is the largest recorded species of Balliella. It has correspondingly large gland cells and abaxial as well as adaxial tetrasporangia. Our work supports the placement of Balliella in the tribe Antithamnieae, a move which necessitates emending Wollaston's definition of the tribe to include species with procarps that form at successive levels along main axes rather than at only one or two points behind the apices.     

Synopsis of the tribe Bocageeae (Annonaceae), with revisions of Cardiopetalum,Froesiodendron, Trigynaea,Bocagea, and Hornschuchia

The tribal name Bocageeae Endlicher is reestablished and the tribe is circumscribed on the basis of solitary internodal ebracteate pedicels that are articulated at the base, and pollen shed in polyads of eight or more grains. Septate anther locules, large pollen size, and seed appendages are prevalent in the tribe. Intectate pollen with free-standing columellae, rare in Annonaceae, occurs not only in the genusTrigynaea but also in some species ofBocagea andHornschuchia. As defined here, the Bocageeae include seven neotropical genera:Cymbopetalum, Porcelia, Bocagea, Cardiopetalum, Froesiodendron, Hornschuchia, andTrigynaea. The latter five genera are revised and the treatments include ten new species:Cardiopetalum plicatum, Froesiodendron urceocalyx, Hornschuchia lianarum, H. santosii, H. leptandra, Trigynaea cinnamomea, T. lanceipetala, T. triplinervis, T. lagaropoda, andT. axilliflora, all from tropical South America. A new combination,Froesiodendron longicuspe, changes the rank of that taxon from subspecies to species.Cardiopetalum surinamense is removed fromFroesiodendron and reassigned toCardiopetalum on the basis of its connate petals, dehiscent monocarps, and seeds with bilobed arils. A cladogram provides an explicit hypothesis of intergeneric relationships in the tribe. The new combinationOnychopetalum periquino, based onTrigynaea periquino, is made.     

The genus Gymnoascus Baranetzky

Summary The genusGymnoascus Baranetzky is monographed and found to include five valid species including one previously recognized species,G. reessii, one new combination,G. johnstoni, two new species,G. longitrichus andG. corniculatus, and a species originally described as aGymnoascus but included inMyxotrichum since 1893,G. uncinatus. Twenty species previously described as belonging toGymnoascus are excluded from the genus or are considered as doubtful representatives.Supported in part by Botany Department Research Grant # 1344, University of California, Los Angeles, California.     

Rhodothyrsus, a new genus of Euphorbiaceae from tropical South America

The new genusRhodothyrsus is proposed, based on the AmazonianSenefeldera macrophylla Ducke but also containing another newly described species,Rhodothyrsus hirsutus from northwestern Venezuela. The genus is a member of the tribe Hippomaneae of the Euphorbiaceae and apparently related toSenefeldera, but its closest relationships are still obscure, because the phylogeny of the tribe is poorly known and most of the significant characters ofRhodothyrsus are probably autapomorphies or symplesiomorphies. The restriction to tropical lowland rain forests is rare within the Hippomaneae, and several floral characters, pointing to a specialized pollination possibly by butterflies, are unique in the tribe.     

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     

A cladistic analysis ofAnisopappus (Asteraceae: Inuleae)

A cladistic analysis of the genusAnisopappus (Asteraceae: Inuleae) has been undertaken. A hypothesis of species interrelationships in the genus is presented for the first time. The analysis also includedArctotis (Arctoteae), used as outgroup, and five additional genera from theInuleae: Geigeria, Calostephane, Asteriscus, Buphthalmum, Pulicaria, andInula. It is concluded thatAnisopappus is a monophyletic group situated at the base of the tribe, diagnosed by, e.g., their obtuse stylar sweeping-hairs. The species with acute sweeping-hairs were found to be derived within the genus. Problems concerning species delimitation, biogeography and character evolution in the genus are briefly discussed.     

Obolinga,a new genus of Mimosaceae tribe ingeae from Hispaniola

Obolinga zanonii Barneby is described as a new monotypic genus from disturbed cloud forest of the Sierra de Bahoruco—Massif de la Selle mountain system in southeastern Haiti and southwestern Dominican Republic. The genus is to be added to tribe Ingeae of Mimosaceae, and is believed on the basis of gross morphology, wood anatomy, and pollen structure to be nearest to the genusCojoba. From this it differs in a massive terete pod completely filled with a stack of large discoid seeds clothed in a lustrous papery testa and inertly dehiscent on the ground. The structurally comparable fruit of the Malayan genusCylindrokelupha, currently referred toArchidendron, is ascribed to parallelism. The species is illustrated with line drawings.     

The yellow-flowered species of Cuphea (Lythraceae), including three new taxa

Among the predominantly purple- and red-flowered species of the genusCuphea, only seven yellow floral tube and/or yellow-petaled members in three sections were known. We add here two new species and one new variety.Cuphea congesta from Venezuela andC. splendida var.viridiflava from Bolivia are new to sect.Melvilla.Cuphea xanthopetala from Brazil is described in sect.Euandra and expands the presence of this feature to a fourth section of the genus. A key is provided to allCuphea with yellow floral tubes and/or yellow petals to expedite determinations when these exceptional character states are present.     

Systematic revision of the catfish genusSilurus,with description of a new species from Thailand and Burma

On the basis of external morphology and anatomy, 17 scpeies of the genusSilurus Linnaeus including a new species,S. torrentis from Thailand and Burma, are recognized as valid.S. bedfordi Regan is synonymized withS. asotus, andS. goae Haig is transferred to the genusOmpok. From an anatomical study of 12 species, the diagnostic feature of the genusParasilurus Bleeker is revealed to be invalid, and the genus is synonymized withSilurus. From the phylogenetic analysis, the genusSilurus is divided into two major species groups, thecochinchinensis group which is disributed mainly in Southeast Asia, and theglanis group which is further separated into three subgroups occurring separately in East Asia and Europe. The pattern of distribution and relationships between ontogeny and phytogeny in the genusSilurus are briefly discussed.     

A re-evaluation of the Abutilothamnus complex (Malvaceae) I. Two new species and two new genera,Sidasodes and Akrosida

A revision of certain generic boundaries within the tribe Malveae is made. A new genus,Sidasodes, is described with two species, one of which is new,Sidasodes colombiana.Akrosida is segregated as a new genus, based onBastardia macrophylla. The new realignment also recognizesTetrasida as a distinct genus, and describes as newTetrasida serrulata. New combinations includeSidasodes jamesonii (based onSida jamesonii),Akrosida macrophylla (based onBastardia macrophylla), andTetrasida chachapoyensis (based onSida chachapoyensis)     

Female reproductive organization and systematic position ofPlumariella yoshikawae Okamura (Ceramiaceae,Rhodophyta)

A detailed account of female reproductive features ofPlumariella yoshikawae is presented.Plumariella yoshikawae is recognized as morphologically similar toDelesseriopsis elegans in several features, particularly in the sequence of branch initiation, the presence of gland cells on the abaxial sides of the basal segments of the lateral branches, having carpogonial branches on the basal segments of unmodified lateral branches, and the maturation of the carposporophyte at well below the thallus apices. These features indicate thatPlumariella yoshikawae is best removed from the Ptiloteae and is correctly placed in the tribe Delesseriopsideae. The generaPlumariella andBalliella are retained along withDelesseriopsis within the tribe Delesseriopsideae.     

Host specificity and growth of kelp gametophytes symbiotic with filamentous red algae (Ceramiales,Rhodophyta)

Kelp gametophytes were previously observed in nature living endophytically in red algal cell walls. Here we examine the interactions of two kelp species and six red algae in culture. Gametophytes of Nereocystis luetkeana (Mertens) Postels et Ruprecht became endophytic in the cell walls of Griffithsia pacifica Kylin and Antithamnion defectum Kylin, and grew epiphytically in high abundance on G. japonica Okamura and Aglaothamnion oosumiense Itono. Alaria esculenta (Linnaeus) Greville from the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia became endophytic in Aglaothamnion oosumiense, Antithamnion defectum, Callithamnion sp., G. japonica, G. pacifica, and Pleonosporium abysicola Gardner, all from the Pacific Ocean. Some cultures were treated with phloroglucinol before infection to thicken the cell walls. The endophytic gametophytes were smaller and grew more slowly than gametophytes epiphytic on the same host. N. luetkeana failed to become endophytic in some of the potential hosts, and this may reflect host specificity, or culture artifacts. This work improves our understanding of the process of infection of red algae by kelp gametophytes, and broadens our knowledge of host specificity in endophytic symbioses.Communicated by K. Lüning     

Molecular phylogeny of mangroves VIII: Analysis of mitochondrial DNA variation for species identification and relationships in Indian mangrove Rhizophoraceae

Ten species belonging to four genera of the mangrove tribe Rhizophoreaefound in the Indian subcontinent were analysed for species identification andgenetic relationship using nine mitochondrial gene probes. RFLP patternobservedwith 27 probe enzyme combinations the genera Rhizophora,Bruguiera, Ceriops andKandelia differentiated these species into three classesofmitotypes with further resolution within them. Clustering of these mitotypesindicated that Rhizophora was more closely related toCeriops-Kandelia than to theBruguiera. Though the component species of each genusclustered together, a high degree of heterogeneity was observed among fourspecies of the genus Rhizophora and three species of genusBruguiera. The variation between two species ofCeriops was minimal. Species-specific profiles wereobserved for all the species in some probe-enzyme combination. Though themonotypic genus Kandelia shared a number of loci withgenusCeriops, it remained distinct. The putative parents of thenaturally occuring interspecific hybrid in Pichavaram were reconfirmed to beR. apiculata and R. mucronata. Theresults are discussed with regard to the taxonomic and phylogeneticrelationships between different species and genera of the tribe Rhizophoreae.     

A taxonomic study of Salix sections Mexicanae and Viminella subsection Sitchenses (Salicaceae) in North America

The recently recognized western North American sectionsBrewerianae, Mexicanae, andSitchenses in the genusSalix were studied in the field and herbarium. SectionsSitchenses andBrewerianae are here combined and placed under sectionViminella as a subsection. Three species and an additional variety are recognized in subsectionSitchenses and seven species are recognized in sectionMexicanae. Keys for identification and distribution maps are provided.     

Hyaloscyphaceae in Japan (2)*: Glassy-haired members of the tribe Hyaloscypheae

Fungal specimens of discomycetes in the family Hyaloscyphaceae were collected from across Japan and identified. In this report, glassy members of the tribe Hyaloscypheae, subfamily Hyaloscyphoideae are described and illustrated. The 7 species involved include two new species (Urceolella brunneola andU. pseudopani), and five species new to Japan (Hyalopeziza millepunctata, H. pygmaea, Mollisina uncinata, Urceolella carestiana andU. crispula). Cultural studies were carried out, and the anamorph is discussed forM. uncinata. Mycoscience38: 171–186, 1997.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the generaCladonia andCladina (Cladoniaceae, lichenizedAscomycota)

A cladistic analysis of 44 species of the generaCladina andCladonia is presented.Pycnothelia papillaria, Cladia aggregata andC. retipora were used as outgroup taxa. The consensus of all equally parsimonious trees suggests a common ancestral origin for species inCladonia andCladina while the generaPycnothelia andCladia cluster outside this group. The results do not support distinction ofCladina at genus level although it is distinguished as a monophyletic group but within the genusCladonia. The current sectional division ofCladonia is not supported. SectionsCocciferae andHelopodium are best supported but even these groups as currently delimited seem to in include elements that are more closely related to species of the other sections, e.g.C. carneola of sect.Cocciferae andC. pityrophylla of sect.Helopodium. Sections such asUnciales andPerviae seem to be artificial assemblages. In general the evolutionary scheme of the genus seems to be more complicated than revealed by the current sectional division.     

Bobgunnia, a new African genus of tribe Swartzieae (Fabaceae, Faboideae)

A new genus, Bobgunnia, is established in tribe Swartzieae for the African species of Swartzia. Two new combinations are made: B. fistuloides and B. madagascariensis. The new genus has seeds, unlike the remainder of tribe Swartzieae but like the other tribes of Faboideae. The systematic position of Swartzieae is reevaluated.     

Novelties in spermacoceae (Rubiaceae) from Bolivia and Paraguay

One new Bolivian species (Borreria pazensis) and three new varieties (Borreria densiflora var.minima, Richardia, scabra var.chacoensis andStaelia virgata var.killeenii) are described and illustrated. The genusDiodella, with three species (D. apiculata comb. nov., D. radula comb. nov., andD. teres), is reported for the first time.Borreria limae, B. wunschmannii, B. scabiosoides var.scabiosoides, andB. scabiosoides var.anderssonii are also reported as new to Bolivia.