A new species of Arctotis (Compositae, Arctotideae) from kommetjie grassland in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Arctotis debensis R.J.McKenzie, a new species from the Albany Centre of Floristic Endemism, South Africa, is described and illustrated. It grows almost exclusively in grassland on kommetjies, a distinctive landform of depressions and mounds associated with giant earthworms, in a restricted area west of King William's Town, Eastern Cape Province. It is the first plant taxon reported to be endemic or near-endemic to this unusual habitat. The new species appears to have been collected rarely and previous collections examined have remained undetermined to species level. The new species is distinguished from closely allied species by the combination of its usually larger dimensions in all parts, prostrate habit, coriaceous leaves that are green, scabrous, and eglandular on the adaxial surface and densely lanate on the abaxial surface, and involucral-bract morphology.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 151 , 581–588.     

A new species of Chirita (Gesneriaceae) from Yunnan,China

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Chirita maguanensis Z.Y.Li, H.Jiang & H.Xu, is described from Southern Yunnan, China. It is similar to C. eburnea Hance in its large, fleshy, white and parallel‐veined bracts, but differs by having broad and oblique leaves with a repand–crenate or crenate margin, suborbicular bracts, membranous, white calyx, purple corolla‐tube, 2‐parted lower lip of stigma and lower disc. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 269–273.     

Two new species of Mussaenda (Rubiaceae) from Panay Island,Philippines

Two new species of Mussaenda (Rubiaceae) from Aklan, Panay, Philippines are described and illustrated. Mussaenda ustii sp. nov. is distinct by its long pedicel (up to 7 mm), yellow with white margins corolla lobes forming a star and recurved stigma lobes which are always semi‐ or distinctly exserted in long‐styled morphs. Mussaenda viridiflora sp. nov. is characterized by its white, sweet‐scented corolla lobes, which are green tinged on the median ridges and bases, and strongly reflexed calyx lobes. A discussion of the relationships of the new taxa to closely related Philippine Mussaenda is provided. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 87–92.     

The role of KNOX genes in the evolution of morphological novelty in Streptocarpus

The genus Streptocarpus comprises species with diverse body plans. Caulescent species produce leaves from a conventional shoot apical meristem (SAM), whereas acaulescent species lack a conventional SAM and produce only a single leaf (the unifoliate form) or clusters of leaves from the base of more mature leaves (the rosulate form). These distinct morphologies reflect fundamental differences in the role of the SAM and the process of leaf specification. A subfamily of KNOTTED-like homeobox (KNOX) genes are known to be important in regulating meristem function and leaf development in model species with conventional morphologies. To test the involvement of KNOX genes in Streptocarpus evolution, two parologous KNOX genes (SSTM1 and SSTM2) were isolated from species with different growth forms. Their phylogenetic analysis suggested a gene duplication before the subgeneric split of Streptocarpus and resolved species relationships, supporting multiple evolutionary origins of the rosulate and unifoliate morphologies. In S. saxorum, a caulescent species with a conventional SAM, KNOX proteins were expressed in the SAM and transiently downregulated in incipient leaf primordia. The ability of acaulescent species to initiate leaves from existing leaves was found to correlate with SSTM1 expression and KNOX protein accumulation in leaves and to reflect genetic differences at two loci. Neither locus corresponded to SSTM1, suggesting that cis-acting differences in SSTM1 regulation were not responsible for evolution of the rosulate and unifoliate forms. However, the involvement of KNOX proteins in leaf formation in rosulate species suggests that they have played an indirect role in the development of morphological diversity in Streptocarpus.     

Cryptic speciation in the southern African vlei rat Otomys irroratus complex: evidence derived from mitochondrial cyt b and niche modelling

The vlei rat Otomys irroratus has a wide distribution in southern Africa with several datasets indicating the presence of two putative species (O. irroratus and O. auratus). In the present study we use mitochrondrial cyt b data (～950 bp) from 98 specimens (including museum material) collected throughout the range of the species to determine the geographical limits of the two recognized species, and we link this to niche modelling to validate these species. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA sequence data, using maximum parsimony, neighbour joining and Bayesian inference, retrieved two divergent statistically well‐supported clades. Clade A occurs in the Western and Eastern Cape while Clade B occurs in the Free State, KwaZulu‐Natal, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa and Zimbabwe. Mean sequence divergence between the two clades (A and B) was 7.0% and between sub‐clades comprising clade B it was 4.8%; the two clades diverged during the Pleistocene. Within Clade A the mean sequence divergence among specimens was 1.91%. Niche modelling revealed that the incipient species occupy distinct bioclimatic niches associated with seasonality of precipitation. Our data allow insightful analysis into the factors that could have led to cladogenesis within this rodent. More significantly, the new data enable us to pinpoint the Eastern Cape province as a contact zone for the divergent species. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 104 , 192–206.     

A new species of Dianthus (Caryophyllaceae) from Mount Erciyes,central Anatolia,Turkey

Dianthus aytachii C.Vural from Mount Erciyes, central Anatolia (Turkey) is described and illustrated. It is considered to be endemic to Mount Erciyes. The morphological differences from the closely related species Dianthus zederbaueri Vierh. are discussed. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) threat category and observations on the ecology of the populations are noted. The pollen and seed morphology of D. aytachii and D. zederbaueri were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The geographical distribution of the new species is mapped. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 55–61.     

A new species of Halocnemum M.Bieb. (Amaranthaceae) from southern Turkey

Halocnemum yurdakulolii Yaprak is described as the second species of the previously monotypic genus Halocnemum. The species is endemic to the Göksu Delta in southern Turkey. The main morphological characteristics that separate H. yurdakulolii from H. strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb. are growth form and spike morphology. Apart from these morphological differences, the species show a clear genetic differentiation. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 716–721.     

Two new species of Linaria section Linaria (Scrophulariaceae‐Antirrhineae) from Iran

Linaria azerbaijanensis and Linaria shahroudensis are described as new species from the Azerbaijan and Semnan provinces of Iran, respectively, belong to section Linaria.The new species are compared to their closest relative Linaria lineolata. Linaria azerbaijanensis differs from L. lineolata in having shorter bracts, a shorter corolla, shorter spur and smaller capsules and a different microsculpturing pattern of the testa cells. Linaria shahroudensis differs from L. lineolata in having shorter stems, shorter calyx‐lobes, a longer spur, a smaller capsule and a different microsculpturing pattern of the testa cells. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 734–742.     

Myosotis wumengensis sp. nov. (Boraginaceae) from central Yunnan,southwest China

Myosotis wumengensis, a distinct new species endemic to Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species differs from all Myosotis species in China by having exserted anthers and a long corolla tube. Phylogenetic analysis confirms the generic position of the new species. In addition, the pollen morphology of the new species is described.     

Primula zhui (Primulaceae) sp. nov. from south Yunnan,southwest China

Primula zhui a new species of Primula endemic to the Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to P. intanoensis from Thailand, and P. calyptrata from southeast Yunnan, affiliated to Primula sect. Carolinella (Hemsl.) Pax. However, it is easily distinguished from the Thailand species by its longer corolla tube and distylous flowers, and it differs from the Chinese species by its leaf ovate to ovate‐elliptic blade and distylous flowers.     

Nectarless flowers with deep corolla tubes in Pedicularis: does long pistil length provide an arena for male competition?

Pollinator‐mediated selection does not seem to have a direct influence on the evolution of a long corolla tube in a nectarless flower. We hypothesized that the long pistil length of the nectarless flower with a deep corolla tube provided an opportunity for male competition. Pedicularis siphonantha, a nectarless and partially self‐incompatible lousewort with substantial variation in corolla tube length, was used to test the hypothesis. We tested whether and how corolla tube length affected seed production per capsule and seed germination rate with different pollination treatments. Flowers were hand‐pollinated with pollen from one self donor and one outcross donor and mixed pollen grains consisting of equal amounts from the two donor types, respectively. Additionally, seeds from open‐pollinated flowers with different corolla tube lengths were collected separately for measurement of germination rate. Pollination treatment and corolla tube length significantly affected number of seeds per capsule. Moreover, a significant positive relationship between seeds per capsule and corolla tube length was found when mixed hand pollination was conducted. Seeds of self hand‐pollinated flowers had a lower germination rate than those from outcross‐pollinated flowers. Under open pollination, seeds from flowers with longer corolla tubes tended to have higher germination rate. In P. siphonantha, outcross pollen may have a higher probability of contributing to the next generation when transferred to flowers with longer corolla tubes. The pistil length, therefore, should be seen as a female choice mechanism, which provides an arena for male‐to‐male competition. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179 , 526–532.     

Variation in nectar–sugar profile of Anchusa and allied genera (Boraginaceae)

The nectar–sugar profile (fructose, glucose and sucrose) of 14 species of Anchusa and five members of the allied genera Anchusella, Cynoglottis, Hormuzakia and Lycopsis (Boraginaceae: tribe Boragineae) was determined. Most of the species examined (c. 74%) produce sucrose‐dominant nectar, whereas the remaining taxa produce sucrose‐rich nectars. Little variation in nectar–sugar composition was found in some species, even when sampling was repeated in different years and/or localities. Average sucrose concentration was 57.75% (coefficient of variation 19.1%). The only floral morphological character that was correlated with the nectar–sugar profile is the length of the corolla tube, as taxa with relatively long floral tubes produce nectar with lower glucose concentrations. The flowering period is also related to sugar composition, as nectar of late‐flowering species contains lower sucrose concentrations. However, small differences in sugar profiles do not reflect phylogenetic relationships based on molecular studies. It would appear that dry habitats and time of flowering are the main determinants of nectar–sugar composition in the genus Anchusa sensu lato. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 162 , 616–627.     

Ochthebius (s.str.) capicola (Coleoptera) re-discovered in the Cape Peninsula,South Africa

New distributional records and ecological observations are presented for the Cape endemic hydraenid Ochthebius capicola. Considered extinct on the Cape Peninsula, the species has been re-discovered at two adjacent locations as well as at a new site in Tsitsikamma National Park, Eastern Cape. New species associations are recorded, in conjunction with observations confirming this species' preference for algae-covered rock surfaces in the hypersaline pools of the supralittoral zone. Provisional internationally-endangered status for this species was examined but considered dependent on future data. It was considered likely that the beetle may be insufficiently recorded, due to its atypical habitat requirement. A synopsis of the taxonomic status of this species and Ochthebius rubripes is given. Notes on both species are provided, as well as a record of sympatric occurrence.     

Continuous characters in phylogenetic analyses: patterns of corolla tube length evolution in Lithospermum L. (Boraginaceae)

The present study comprises an analysis of six different scoring schemes and eight different types of analytic methods aiming to investigate the evolution of a continuous character (i.e. corolla tube length) in Lithospermum L. (Boraginaceae). Corolla tube length in the genus is quite variable, ranging from 1 mm to 75 mm, and the length of the corolla tube has implications for pollination biology, such as longer corolla tubes (> 25 mm in length) being pollinated by hummingbirds or moths. In general, the various methods resolve similar ancestral character states; however, different states are reconstructed at nodes in which the descendants greatly differ in corolla tube length. Additionally, it is suggested that all of the variation of a continuous character should be included in analyses, and this may necessitate multiple analyses with different partitions of the data. The various analyses provide evidence that two maximum parsimony methods, linear parsimony and the TNT method, minimize the number of different rates of evolution. In Lithospermum, six origins of corolla tubes > 20 mm in length are resolved, and these origins occurred at two different times periods: (1) in the shadow of hummingbird diversification in North America (approximately 6–8 Mya) and (2) more recently (approximately 1–1.5 MyA). Four substantial decreases in corolla tube length also are reconstructed, and these may be associated with the origin of self‐pollination. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, ??, ??–??.     

A second species in the endemic New Caledonian genus Gastrolepis (Stemonuraceae) and its implications for the conservation status of high‐altitude maquis vegetation: coherent application of the IUCN Red List criteria is urgently needed in New Caledonia

A new species in the previously monotypic, endemic New Caledonian genus Gastrolepis (Stemonuraceae) is described. Gastrolepis alticola differs from G. austrocaledonica by its shorter and thicker petioles, strongly coriaceous leaves with revolute margins, shorter inflorescences, and pubescent corollas. The new species is further distinguished by its ecology, occurring only in high‐altitude maquis on two massifs in southern New Caledonia, Mt. Kouakoué and the Montagne des Sources. Gastrolepis alticola is assigned a preliminary conservation status of ‘Endangered’ using the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List criteria. Comparison of the IUCN threat status for the 19 species endemic to this distinctive, restricted vegetation type reveals a striking lack of consistency and underscores the need for a reassessment of the entire New Caledonian flora. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 775–783.     

Evidence for autonomous selfing in grassland Protea species (Proteaceae)

It has been assumed that species of the large African genus Protea have strong self‐incompatibility systems. However, this assumption was based largely on studies conducted on a clade of bird‐pollinated species that occur in the shrubby fynbos vegetation of the Cape region of southern Africa. To test whether self‐incompatibility occurs in a grassland/savanna Protea clade, which is largely insect‐pollinated, we performed controlled pollination experiments on four species, P. caffra, P. dracomontana, P. simplex and P. welwitschii. Although pollen–ovule ratios of all four species fall within the range for outcrossers, all four species are self‐compatible and capable of autonomous seed production. Using fluorescence microscopy, we found that self‐pollen tubes had the same probability of reaching ovules as cross‐pollen tubes. In the small tree P. caffra, selfed progeny had rates of germination and survivorship that were identical to those of crossed progeny. The grassland Protea spp. studied are likely to have mixed mating systems on account of being both visited by insects and capable of autonomous selfing. If one assumes previous reports of self‐incompatibility in Protea to be reliable, there have been at least five losses of self‐incompatibility and two gains of autonomous selfing in this genus. However, earlier studies in the genus were often methodologically flawed and a thorough re‐analysis of breeding systems in Protea is required. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 169 , 433–446.     

A new species of Centaurea (Asteraceae) from Sicily

A new species of Centaurea, Centaurea sicana , endemic to Sicily, is described. This new taxon is close to Centaurea parlatoris and Centaurea giardinae (Sect. Dissectae), the former occurring at Palermo and in the Madonie Mountains, while the latter occurs on the Etna volcano. The new species has so far been found only on the Sicani Mountains, a limestone mountain range in western Sicily, while the related species occur in the surrounding mountains. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 785–788.