Morphological analysis ofAlouatta seniculus species group (Primates,Cebidae). A comparison with biochemical and karyological data

Fifteen cranial measurements were taken from wild caught specimens ofAlouatta seniculus seniculus, A. s. stramineus andA. s. macconnelli. A morphological analysis showed sex dimorphism in these three groups. A multivariate analysis discriminated among these taxa; males being more clearly discriminated than females. Our data showed that these taxa can be separated on the basis of quantitative cranial traits, biogeographic distribution, karyological differences, and biochemical characters. We therefore propose a new taxonomic arrangement, changing their taxonomic status to the species level (Alouatta seniculus, A. macconnelli, andA. stramineus).     

Variation in wild populations of annual beet (Beta,Chenopodiaceae)

Among the morphological variation in wild annual populations of sect.Beta only tepal characters show a geographic pattern, and hence can be used to distinguish different taxa. Two morphological types correspond with taxa already described:B. macrocarpa (incl.B. bourgaei) has a Macaronesian and W. to E. Mediterranean andB. adanensis an E. Mediterranean distribution area. A third type in the Aegean region is not well known yet and possibly has to be included inB. macrocarpa. Both diploid and tetraploid (x = 9) cytotypes are found withinB. macrocarpa, the latter exclusively on the Canary Islands.     

A new point of view on the taxonomy ofPottia starckeana agg. (Musci,Pottiaceae)

A new taxonomic treatment is proposed for thePottia starckeana species complex. The peristome development is not considered to be a useful feature to separate the taxa. On the basis of spore morphology only two species are accepted:P. starckeana, with spores wavy in outline, andP. davalliana, with variously-shaped and developed processes on the spores.Pottia starckeana var.brachyoda is reduced to synonymy withP. starckeana; P. conica andP. commutata are treated as synonyms ofP. davalliana. The speciesP. mutica, P. affinis, P. salina, P. microphylla, P. texana, andP. arizonica (included var.mucronulata) are considered taxa of doubtful affinity, as they have spore features intermediate between the two spore types established for the group. The identity ofP. appertii andP. recurvifolia has not been elucidated because the type material has been destroyed.     

Distinction in morphology and esterase isozyme betweenEupatorium glehni (=E. chinense subsp.sachalinense) andE. chinense var.oppositifolium (compositae)

The taxonomic status ofEupatorium chinese var.oppositofolium andE. glehni (=E. chinense subsp.sachalinense) inE. chinense complex semsu Kitamura has long been controversial. In this paper, the degree of divergence between diploids of these two taxa was examined by means of morphological studies including principal component analysis, the electrophoretic analysis of esterase isozyme variation and observations on habitats. The data obtained through the examinations indicate these two taxa are diverged enough to be recognized as distinct biological species. Since the polyploidE. chinense var.oppositifolium is more or less intermediate in morphology between the two diploid taxa, it is considered to have masked the distinction between the two diploid taxa. Also, electrophoretic evidence suggests that polyploidE. chinense var.oppositifolium is not a hybrid or hybrid derivative withE. glehni as a parental species. Possible origin of polyploidE. chinense varoppositifolium is also discussed.     

Chromosome numbers, karyotypes and nuclear DNA contents from perennial polyploid groups ofCerastium (Caryophyllaceae)

Somatic chromosome numbers have been determined for the followingCerastium taxa:C. eriophorum (2n = 36),C. alpinum (2n = 72),C. transsylvanicum (2n = 108),C. arcticum (2n = 108),C. latifolium (2n = 36),C. carinthiacum (2n = 36),C. banaticum (2n = 36),C. arvense subsp.glandulosum (2n = 36),C. arvense subsp.arvense (2n = 72) andC. fontanum (2n = 144). Karyotypes of three diploid species (C. eriophorum, C. banaticum andC. latifolium), belonging to three different taxonomic groups, were analysed and found to be similar. The relative nuclear DNA contents of all taxa were determined by flow cytometry and, for five species, also by Feulgen cytophotometry. The values obtained by the two methods are similar. A comparison of nuclear DNA contents among diploids shows that values differ significantly between different taxonomic groups, and are correlated with average chromosome size. Within closely related polyploid groups nuclear DNA amounts increase from 2x- to 4x- and 6x taxa as 1 : 1.4 : 2.4 in theC. alpinum complex, whereas DNA amounts are doubled comparing 2x- and 4x-subspecies in theC. arvense complex.     

Karyosystematic studies on threeCrepis species (Asteraceae) endemic to Greece

This work examines the cytogeographical distribution, the morphological characters, and the karyotypes of threeCrepis species endemic to Greece (C. sibthorpiana, C. incana, andC. heldreichiana). C. sibthorpiana is diploid (2n = 2x = 8),C. incana is diploid (2n = 2x = 8) and tetraploid (2n = 4x = 16, 17), andC. heldreichiana is always dekaploid (2n = 10x = 40). The Giemsa positive bands, usually pairs of dots, are mainly centromeric inC. incana, while they are terminal inC. sibthorpiana (on the short arm of all chromosomes) and inC. heldreichiana (on both arms of all chromosomes). Intercalary C-bands are scarce and usually variable within karyotypes, individuals, and species. The most variable karyotype both in Feulgen and Giemsa preparations is that ofC. incana, in which also supernumerary chromosomes were observed, which are polysomic to standard set members. On the basis of morphological and karyological data the evolutionary relationships among the threeCrepis taxa are discussed.     

Morphological and chromosomal variation in Fallopia section Reynoutria (Polygonaceae) in Korea

We have examined morphological and chromosomal variation inFallopia sect.Reynoutria in Korea to clarify their taxonomic identities and to determine whether their morphological variability is associated with ploidy levels. Principal components analysis (PCA) of individuals from 21 populations, using major distinguishing characters, revealed the presence of four major entiries of sect.Reynoutria in Korea; these includeF. sachalinensis, F. japonica var.japonica, F. forbesii, and the Nonsan population consisting of presumed hybrids. Based on morphology, it is hypothesized that the Nonsan population was probably derived from multiple hybridization events involving the three named taxa. The results also indicate thatF. forbesii is distinct fromF. japonica var.japonica. Polyploidy is more prevalent in sect.Reynoutria than has been previously recognized.Fallopia sachalinensis in Korea occurs as dodecaploids with 2n=132; our count is the first dodecaploid count for the species, and represents the highest chromosome number known in the genus.Fallopia japonica var.japonica occurs as tetraploids (2n=44), hexaploids (2n=66), and octoploids (2n=88), whileF. forbesii occurs as hexaploids (2n=66) and octoploids (2n=88); our counts appear to be the first reported chromosome numbers forF. forbesii. Morphological analysis indicates that there is no apparent correlation between the ploidy levels in these taxa and the morphological characters that we have considered in this study except that the tetraploids ofF. japonica var.japonica tend to have somewhat thicker leaves.     

Karyology of theScorzonera (Compositae) species from the Iberian Peninsula

A karyological study of 15 taxa ofScorzonera L. from the Iberian Peninsula has been made. The chromosome numbers found inS. hispanica var.pinnatifida, S. baetica, S. reverchonii, S. angustifolia, S. laciniata var.calcitrapifolia and var.subulata (2n = 14) are new. Diploid cytotypes with 2n = 14 and 2n = 12 prevail, andS. hispanica var.crispatula is the only taxon which exhibits autopolyploidy (2n = 14, 28). x = 7 is considered to be the base chromosome number within the genus, with x = 6 being derived from it by translocation. This and detailed karyotype analyses allow to group the Iberian Peninsula species ofScorzonera into three groups.     

Notes on the variation,geographical distribution and ecology ofEuastrum insulare var.basichondrum (Chlorophyta,Desmidiaceae)

Euastrum insulare var.basichondrum, morphologically taking an intermediate position in respect ofCosmarium trilobulatum var.basichondrum andEuastrum bipapillatum, appeared to exhibit such a wide range of variation that it may be considered identical to the other two above-mentioned taxa. This taxon, after having been studied with both light- and scanning electron microscopy, is re-diagnosed. This alga occurs in wet moss cushions in weakly acid to neutral environments. The relation between such a terraqueous habitat and the principally arctic-alpine distribution and a conceivably associated process of speciation is discussed.     

Effect of the nitrogen source on the biosynthesis, composition, and structure of the exopolysaccharides ofAureobasidium pullulans (de Bary) Arnaud

The effect of the nitrogen source and the C/N ratio of the growth medium on the biosynthesis, composition, and structure of the exopolysaccharides (EPSs) ofAureobasidium pullulans (de Bary) Arnaud var.aubasidani Yurlova var. nov. andA. pullulans var.pullulans was studied.A. pullulans var.pullulans andA. pullulans var.aubasidani strains synthesized the maximum amounts of EPSs in the presence of, respectively, a reduced nitrogen source ((NH₄)₂SO₄) and an oxidized nitrogen source (NaNO₃) in the medium. The data presented confirm the validity of using the chemical composition and structure of the major cetavlon-precipitated fraction ofA. pullulans EPSs for the characterization of intraspecies taxa.     

A revision of European taxa ofHyacinthoides sectionSomera (Hyacinthaceae) on the basis of multivariate analysis

Cluster analysis and principal components analysis were used to investigate patterns of morphological variation among specimens of European species of sect.Somera of the genusHyacinthoides (Hyacinthaceae). The results are clearly consistent with the existence of four species (H. italica, H. paivae, H. reverchonii andH. mauritanica). It is proposed that the latter be considered to comprise two subspecies,H. mauritanica subsp.mauritanica andH. mauritanica subsp.vincentina (comb. nov.). A key is presented, together with distribution maps for the five taxa.     

Taxonomic status of Cuscuta nevadensis and C. veatchii (Convolvulaceae) in North America

The taxonomy ofCuscuta nevadensis andC. veatchii is investigated.Cuscuta nevadensis is more closely related toC. veatchii andC. denticulata than toC. salina, and the former two taxa are accepted as species. A summary of relevant taxonomic and biological information is provided, including synonymy, distribution and ecology, keys, and a comparison of the morphology of flowers and seeds are examined. The morphological basis of vivipary inC. nevadensis is discussed. The status ofCuscuta vivipara, an invalid name in recent use, is clarified.     

淫羊藿属分类学研究:进展、问题与展望

淫羊藿是我国特有且传统的重要药用植物,逐渐步入大宗品种行列。物种的准确鉴定是药效保障和用药安全的前提,为促进其资源的合理开发和利用,该文对淫羊藿属分类学研究进行系统梳理,并对其中存在的问题及存疑类群进行阐述。淫羊藿属共发表68种,中国58种(85.3%),其中57种为特有分布,具有显著的资源优势。淫羊藿属中国类群的分类学研究较为特殊,共26种集中发表于1990s,共31种(53.4%)为国外研究者命名,且绝大多数依据少量栽培个体命名。由于缺乏广泛的形态调查和性状变异分析,导致大量类群的形态描述不准确或不全面,后续20个类群被归并或降级。依据栽培个体命名的类群是补充描述和分类修订的重点。花色、根茎类型、花茎叶的数量及着生方式等性状在中国类群中存在广泛变异。经分类修订后,该属目前包括46种、1亚种和2变种。淫羊藿属中国组类群仍处于活跃进化中,其形态变异复杂,种间关系无法得到解决,为该属分类的最大挑战。但种质资源的研究和利用需要建立在清晰的分类学基础上。未来研究应基于居群调查,完善各物种的形态描述;在此基础上,整合形态变异特征、地理分布格局和基因序列特征,检测自然种间杂交事件,从而揭示物种的分化和进化历程。     

Nutritional physiology of type isolates of currently accepted species ofExophiala andPhaeococcomyces

Nutritional physiological and tolerance tests were performed for all type strains of species currently classified in the black yeast generaExophiala andPhaeococcomyces, including some additional type strains of taxa recently reidentified asExophiala species. Most describedExophiala species can be distinguished by physiological characters.Exophiala jeanselmei with its varieties, andE. castellanii should all be retained as separate taxa. The pairs of strainsMycotorula schawii/Exophiala dermatitidis, Hormodendrum negronii/Exophiala jeanselmei var.lecaniicorni andSporotrichum gougerotii/Torula bergeri were found to be conspecific. Phenetic analyses of physiological data support the identity ofPhaeococcomyces exophialae as a yeast-like synanamorph ofExophiala spinifera. The taxonomic positions of the generaNadsoniella, Phaeoannellomyces andWangiella are discussed. The generaExophiala andPhaeococcomyces are unrelated.     

Novelties in the Festuca valesiaca group (Poaceae) from the central Alps

Due to their ploidy levels, their morphological and anatomical characters and their distribution the central alpine Festuca stricta subsp. bauzanina (2n = 8x = 56) and Festuca ovina var. guinochetii (2n = 10x = 70), both belonging to the Festuca valesiaca group, are raised to the specific level. As a new subspecies Festuca bauzanina subsp. rhaetica is described here. The taxa of the polyploid Festuca valesiaca group are morphologically, anatomically and chorologically characterised and an identification key for these taxa in the central Alps is presented.     

Phenetic studies in Nuphar Sm. (Nymphaeaceae):variation in sect. Nuphar

Previous taxonomic assessments of the hydrophytic genus Nuphar Sm. (Nymphaeaceae) have inadequately considered the range of morphological variation existing in the genus. A comprehensive statistical analysis of morphological features among the recognized taxa of Nuphar is presented here, first using 10 fruit characters to delimit the separation of two infrageneric groups of taxa, and secondly using 31 characters to quantify the morphological variation found within sect. Nuphar. Results from combined phenetic analyses provided empirical support for recognition of two infrageneric groups of species in the genus (largely by fruit, stigmatic disk margin, neck, and stigmatic disk size) and for separation of taxa within sect. Nuphar (by leaf size, and fruit disk and neck size). Statistical analyses demonstrate that extensive variation in ranges of character states exists among sect. Nuphar taxa. However, a suite of qualitative and quantitative characters can be used to recognize five species and three subspecies within this predominantly Old World assemblage.     

Multivariate analyses of theScutellaria pekinensis complex (Labiatae) in Korea

The taxonomy of theScutellaria pekinensis complex has been ambiguous and problematic, because morphological characters are variable. To elucidate the taxonomic structure of the Korean taxa belonging to the complex, 29 characters were measured from 99 individuals collected from 96 localities and analyzed by factor analysis, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis. The results supported the recognition of four infraspecific taxa ofS. pekinensis Maxim, in Korea: var.ussuriensis (Regel) Handel-Mazzetti, var.alpina (Nakai) Hara, var.transitra (Makino) Hara, and var.maxima S. Kim et S. Lee. Key characters distinguishing the four varieties were inferred on the basis of multivariante analyses.     

The phylogenetic relationships ofByblis andRoridula (Byblidaceae-Roridulaceae) inferred from partial 18S ribosomal RNA sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of the angiosperm generaByblis andRoridula have been the subject of ongoing taxonomic controversy. Twenty-eight taxa of varying degrees of alleged relationship, including 3 members of theWinteraceae (as an outgroup), were investigated using partial sequences of 18S rRNA (small subunit) and also compared against the morphological data set fromHufford's (1992) cladistic treatment of 80 members of theRosidae-Asteridae. The morphological analysis placed the two genera in a clade with theSarraceniaceae in theCorniflorae-Asterid group as a sister taxon to anEricales-Hydrangeales clade. The 18S rRNA analysis supports the recently publishedrbcL DNA analysis ofAlbert & al. (1992), withRoridula joined to taxa in the lowerRosidae, butByblis joining instead to members of theAsteridae near theSolanaceae. Comparisons for congruence between the three analyses placeByblis in the higher Asterid group near theSolanaceae, andRoridula possibly nearer theSarraceniaceae andEricales. These results imply that the traditional morphological characters used to relate the two genera are possibly the result of convergence towards similar ecological and life-history strategies rather than synapomorphies.