A taxonomic revision of Paradoris sea slugs (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Nudibranchia, Doridina)

Paradoris , traditionally a generic taxon of discodorid sea slugs, is revised for the first time. One hundred and thirty specimens were examined, including all types and most of the nontype specimens available. New records for Paradoris are provided: South Africa, Tanzania, Seychelles, Western Australia, Thailand, Philippines, shallow waters of New Caledonia, southern Japan, and Hawaii. The individual variation of all taxonomic characters is thoroughly evaluated. Prior to the present study, Paradoris included 15 nominal species: 12 valid names and three synonyms. Three additional names, Discodoris erythraeensis , D. lora , and D. cavernae , are re-allocated to Paradoris , based on phylogenetic analysis. A phylogenetic diagnosis is provided for Paradoris : in particular, two new synapomorphies are described. Eight species names are regarded as valid: P. araneosa , P. dubia , P. erythraeensis , P. indecora , P. liturata , P. lopezi , P. mulciber , and P. tsurugensis . However, most of these species are poorly known, i.e. from very few specimens, and their taxonomic status might change when more individuals are available. P. lora is regarded as a nomen dubium . Six new synonymies are proposed, and explained by the fact that: (1) species names were created for one or a few specimens, without considering individual variation; (2) authors have not worked within a phylogenetic framework and have created new species names without considering all the existing species names already available within Paradoris . Three new morphospecies are described, but not formally named because their taxonomic status is still uncertain for several reasons (e.g. lack of knowledge of individual variation for some critical features).  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 147 , 125–238.     

Misapplication of the name stachys nuttallii (Lamiaceae) to a new southeastern species

A recent study of Southeastern species ofStachys points out a problem involving the identity ofS. nuttallii Shuttlew. ex Bentham. Type material ofS. nuttallii is clearly representative of what is commonly known asS. riddellii House.S. riddellii of current authors must now be calledS. nuttallii, S. riddellii becoming a taxonomic synonym. However, no valid names have been uncovered in the literature that can be correctly applied to the species, primarily from the Blue Ridge Mountains, previously known to most botanists as “S. nuttallii.” These plants are described as a new species,Stachys eplingii.     

A taxonomic revision of Encyclia (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) in Costa Rica

A taxonomic revision of Encyclia (Orchidaceae) in Costa Rica is presented. The taxonomic history of the genus and its phylogenetic position are discussed. Characters of vegetative and floral morphology are described and their taxonomic significance is discussed. The genus is treated as comprising nine species in the country and a key to species is provided. Each taxon is described on the basis of Costa Rican material, illustrated in a composite plate, and its distribution within the country is assessed. Distribution maps for all the taxa are given. Overall distribution, derivation of name, synonymy, notes on species ecology and diagnostic features are presented for each taxon. The names Encyclia tonduziana and Epidendrum mooreanum are typified. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168 , 395–448.     

Simaba orinocensis,an earlier name for Simaba multiflora (Simaroubaceae)

Thomas, Wm. Wayt (New York Botanical Garden, Bronz, NY 10458-9980). Simaba orinocensis, an earlier name for Simaba multiflora (Simaroubaceae). Brittonia 37: 190–191. 1985. Simaba orinocensis has been maintained as a species separate from S. multiflora because Kunth’s illustration showed the flowers to be very different from those of S. multiflora. Examination of the holotype reveals that its flowers do not resemble those illustrated by Kunth but are very similar to those of S. multiflora. Therefore, the two names are considered taxonomic synonyms with S. orinocensis having priority. A complete synonymy is given.     

The variation and evolution of selected species of solanum section basarthrum

A study of greenhouse-grown and field populations ofSolarium caripense Humboldt & Bonpland ex Dunal,S. tabanoense Correll, andS. trachycarpum Bitter & Sodiro, all diploid species (n = 12) of high altitudes of southern Central America and northern South America, revealed great morphological variation. Polygonographs utilizing seven characters (number of leaflets, leaf index, length of pubescence, number of flowers, anther length, corolla index, and pollen diameter) showed a wide range of variation and led to recognition of six morphologically distinct groups. Hybridizations with greenhouse populations showed that five of the morphological groups are reproductively isolated as well. A complex pattern of genetic variation involving various degrees and combinations of low crossing success, low seed set, lowered F₁ pollen fertility, and nonreciprocal crossability was found. Examinations of meiotic figures from hybrids revealed no gross chromosomal structural differences. Evidence indicates that genetic differences, including gene-cytoplasm interactions, are significant isolating barriers. A key to the species studied plus appropriate taxonomic notes are provided.Solanum heiseri is described as new, andS. trachycarpum is placed inS. sect.Basarthrum seriesCaripensia.     

SPECIES CONCEPTS IN THE GENUSUSNEA(LICHENIZED ASCOMYCETES)

Practically most of the taxonomists working on vascular plants and fungi are using the so-called taxonomic species concept, relying largely on morphological criteria or other observable patterns of discontinuity and assuming that these patterns are reflecting the underlying genetic integrity of species. Such a concept is described in detail here for the genusUsnea. The typological view versus the populational view of species are discussed. The diagnostic value of characters used by previous and recent taxonomists of the genus is analysed. The fact thatUsneahas such a bad taxonomic reputation is discussed. The use by J. Motyka, author of the world monograph published in the thirties, of characters that are strongly modified by environmental factors together with a typological view of species are thought to be mainly responsible for this. More than 770 names have been published worldwide so far and it is suggested that around 50% are to be considered as synonyms.     

Petraliellidae Harmer, 1957 (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) from Queensland,Australia

Several species of the family Petraliellidae were first described from the coast of Queensland, including the type species of Sinupetraliella, S. litoralis. These species are redescribed from type, or topotype specimens, and include Petraliella concinna, which has not been certainly found since its introduction in 1891; lectotype material is designated for P. buski and P. magna. Six other species are described from Queensland, P. crassocirca, P. dentilabris, P. dorsiporosa, Mucropetraliella bennetti, M. serrata and M. tuberosa. The species Mucropetraliella tuberosa is a new addition to the Queensland fauna and is described and illustrated here for the first time since its introduction in 1884. The characters of the family Petraliellidae are briefly discussed and the genera to which the Queensland species are assigned is reviewed. A taxonomic key to the ten Queensland petraliellid species described is also provided.     

Transatlantic disjunction in fleshy fungi. I. The Sparassis crispa complex

Phylogenies based on ITS and LSU sequences show that the Sparassis crispa complex comprises several monophyletic clades, in some cases co\rresponding to named taxa (i.e. S. crispa, S. radicata), but others lacking names (i.e. eastern and southwestern North American S. “crispa”). In our study, morphological examination of numerous collections also distinguished subtle differences correlated with geographic distribution. Underlying these problems, several taxa lacked type specimens for taxonomic analysis. In this paper, appropriate epitypes are designated and names assigned. Extensive sexual compatibility experiments, described within, indicate that monokaryon, haploid isolates of collections from North America and Europe are consistently sexually compatible to some degree. Inherent in the study, different “species concepts” were tested, with the “biological species concept,” based on sexual compatibility, being the least restrictive. We propose two new taxa, S. americana and S. americana f. arizonica.     

A revision of the Puerto Rican species of lepanthes (Orchidaceae)

Six species of the orchid speciesLepanthes are described as new. A seventh species,L. sanguined, previously known only from Jamaica, is reported from Puerto Rico. The current misspelling ofL. selenitepala, the only species of the genus previously reported from Puerto Rico, is corrected. A key to the eight Puerto Rican species ofLepanthes is presented, and the value of several interesting taxonomic characters is discussed. The possibility of apogamy in this genus is raised, and detailed biosystematic investigations are indicated as necessary for a complete understanding of the group.     

Review of the genus Nuntiella Kuznetzov (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), with description of a new species from China

The genus Nuntiella Kuznetzov is reviewed. Nuntiella bidigitata sp. nov. is described as new with illustrations of adult male and female genitalia provided. The three previously described species are summarized with detailed references, distribution information, and diagnostic characters. A key to all the species of Nuntiella is given based on the characters of male genitalia.     

Review of the genus perama (Rubiaceae)

The nomenclatural and taxonomic history of the genusPerama Aubl. (Rubiaceae) is discussed. The major trends of evolution within the genus are characterized, and the sections of the genus are delimited. A new section,Diperama Kirkb. & Steyerm., is described. The distribution of the genus is updated, and centers of species concentration are indicated. A complete synonymy is given for the genus, and the type species cited. An artificial key to the species is given ; a new combination,P. parviflora (Standl.) Kirkb. & Steyerm., is mads; and three new species are described,P. harleyi Kirkb. & Steyerm.,P. irwiniana Kirkb. & Steyerm., andP. sparsiflora Standl. ex Steyerm. & Kirkb.     

Revision of the genus Evanos Laporte de Castelnau, 1840, with the description of a second species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Rutelidae: Geniatini)

The monotypic genus Evanos (Coleoptera: Rutelidae: Geniatini) is revised and a new species, E. danieleae Grossi, n. sp., is described based on specimens collected from Minas Gerais, Brazil. A lectotype is designated for Evanos villatus. Diagnostic characters and comments about the taxonomic status of the genus are given, as well as a key for both species and a distribution map with the known locality records.     

A morphological description of the brown shanny Stichaeus fuscus Miki et Maruyama, 1986 (Perciformes: Stichaeidae)

Findings of the brown shanny Stichaeus fuscus Miki et Maruyama, 1986 in waters of Russia are reported for the first time. The morphology of S. fuscus is studied in detail based on representative material; the taxonomic characters of this species are revised. A key to the species of the genus Stichaeus is given.     

Three synonyms of the coastal Phucobius sharp species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) are proposed based on morphological and molecular characters

A taxonomic reappraisal of four marine littoral Phucobius Sharp species along the western Pacific Ocean including the South China Sea is presented based on morphological and molecular characters (COI and 28S). Specimens of the four species, each having its own distinct geographic distribution, are extremely similar to each other including the structures of the median lobe of the aedeagus, and may be regarded as conspecific. Also, the molecular analyses support the validity of P. pectoralis with three synonymies based on morphological characters. Genetic divergence of COI using uncorrected p-distance among all individuals of Phucobius species ranged from 0.11% to 3.21%. Three distinct geographical clusters (Russia, Korea and Japan, and Vietnam) are found in the NJ and PA trees and we treat all of them as a single species. Three new synonyms are proposed for Phucobius pectoralis (Boheman): P. simulator Sharp syn. nov., P. tricolor Bernhauer syn. nov., and P. densipennis Bernhauer syn. nov. Phucobius pectoralis is redescribed with illustrations of diagnostic characters. Also, the intraspecific variation among the populations of P. pectoralis is briefly discussed.     

Integrative taxonomy reveals cryptic Amazonian species of Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae)

Hypotheses on the taxonomic status of two Bolivian Pristimantis with taxonomic problems are assessed by an integrative taxonomic approach that integrates three independent lines of evidence: external morphology, prezygotic reproductive barriers (advertisement calls) and reciprocal monophyly (phylogenetic analyses of partial 16S mtDNA sequences). Central Andean Bolivian populations previously assigned to either P. peruvianus or P. dundeei, and lowland Amazonian populations from southern Peru and northern Bolivia previously considered P. peruvianus do not correspond to these species. Indeed, multivariate analyses of qualitative and quantitative morphological and bioacoustic characters, and phylogenetic analyses support the hypothesis that they represent different, previously unknown, cryptic lineages. They are herein described as new species. The former is a sibling species of P. fenestratus that inhabits the Amazonian and semideciduous forests of the Andean foothills in central Bolivia. The latter is sibling to the Andean species P. danae and is parapatric to it in the Amazonian lowland forests and adjacent foothills of northern Bolivia, southern Peru and adjacent Brazil. Most species of Neotropical frogs, and especially Pristimantis, have been described by using external qualitative morphological characters only. An extended integrative taxonomic approach, as exemplified herein, may lead to the discovery of many other cryptic and sibling lineages that would increase the species numbers of tropical areas. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 97–122.