Italian neo-endemism in a widespread group of leafhoppers insects: A revision of the Eupteryx aurata group (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) using morphology,ecology and genetics

The Eupteryx aurata group is characterised by several features, primarily by colouration and aedeagus morphology. It is distributed mainly in Europe, with some species also in Asia and one species perhaps in North Africa. At least one species is introduced in North America. Until now 12 taxa were known. Two new species, Eupteryx divulsa from central Italy and Eupteryx oscorum from central and southern Italy, are described in this paper. Eupteryx petasitidis Ferrari, 1882, described as Eupteryx carpini petasitidis and later synonymised with Eupteryx atropunctata (Goeze, 1778), is reestablished on species level and redescribed including genital morphology. Ten taxa of the species group are studied in relation to their morphological and molecular characters. The colouration, aedeagus, and pygofer appendage are figured for all of these taxa. Molecular study showed that the E. aurata group is monophyletic. The little or moderate distances in sequences (below 6.0% for mtDNA and up to 2.5% for nuclear ITS2) between the different taxa of the E. aurata group and incongruence of genetic signals from mtDNA and nuclear DNA could be the result of incomplete lineage sorting in young species and/or hybridisation and introgression of DNA among taxa. Of particular importance in this study is material from Italy, a peripheral region in relation to the distribution of the species group and due to its geomorphological features favouring isolation and speciation. A distribution map for the E. aurata species group in Italy and an identification key for all 15 taxa of the aurata group are given. Phylogenetic relationships within the aurata group are discussed in relation to morphological, molecular, ecological, and zoogeographic aspects.     

Genetic and environmental effects on morphology in clonal sedges in the Eurasian Arctic

We studied the variation in morphological characters of importance for resource acquisition and storage in 21 populations of four clonal sedge taxa in arctic Eurasia, Carex bigelowii, C. ensifolia subsp. arctisibirica, C. lugens, and C. stans, and the response to transplantation to a common garden in Troms?, Norway. The morphology of C. stans was distinct from the other three taxa, all of which belong to the C. bigelowii species complex. However, differences among populations within taxa were even greater than differences among taxa, and environmental variables explained 40-50% of the among-population variation in the morphological characters. Stomatal size decreased with temperature while stomatal density increased. Shoot height and leaf width were smaller at peak lemming population phase, while rhizome length was shorter at higher longitudes. Transplantation to a common garden affected stomatal density in all taxa, stomatal size and shoot height only in some taxa, while leaf width was not affected. We found a weak, but highly significant correlation between geographical, morphological, and genetic distances. We concluded that although genotypic differentiation in arctic rhizomatous Carex species is reflected in their morphology, they are also capable of plastic morphological responses to the environment and that these responses are specific for each taxon.     

Anatomical studies of Carex cuchumatanensis,C. decidua,and C. hermannh (Cyperaceae) and comparisons with north American taxa of the C. acuta complex

Foliar anatomy and micromorphology of perigynia and achenes were investigated for three taxa of theCarex acuta complex of sect.Phacocystis Dumort. in Middle and South America. Anatomical characters appear to be conservative, and show little variation amongC. cuchumatanensis Standl. & Steyerm.,C. decidua F. Boott, andC. hermannii Cochrane. Leaves of all species are amphistomatous, with stomates and papillae on both epidermal surfaces, and have a single layer of bulliform cells but differ in the number of vascular bundles. Perigynia have epidermal cells with thin, convex, outer walls that are collapsed in dired specimens, and epidermal cells of achenes each have a single, rounded, nodulose silica-body with a basal platform. Anatomical data are useful in resolving the affinities among these species, and show that they are anatomically indistinguishable fromC. lenticularis Michx. These four New World endemics differe substantially fromC. nigra (L.) Reichard.     

中国薹草属(莎草科)研究随记(Ⅳ).隐匿薹草组的分类修订(英文)

隐匿薹草组(Carex sect.Infossae)为最近建立的薹草属(Carex)的组,当时报导分布于我国安徽和江苏,有2种和1变种,即隐匿薹草(C.infossa)、显穗薹草(变种)(C.infossa var.extensa)和矮秆薹草(C.minuticulmis)。根据描述,另有15种和2变种应归属本组,这些分类群具有较为一致的特征:果囊椭圆球状卵球形或卵球形,通常疏被短毛或近无毛,先端渐狭成中等长的喙,喙口具2小齿;瘦果卵球形,先端钝或微凹。通过文献考证、标本查阅、野外采集,并结合果囊和瘦果的扫描电镜观察,对隐匿薹草组所涉及的种(含种下类群)进行了分类修订。该组仅有2种:百里薹草(C.blinii)和尖叶薹草(C.oxyphylla)。将Carex elmeri、C.granifera、矮秆薹草(C.minuticulmis)、上海薹草(C.shanghaiensis C.blinii subsp.shanghaiensis)、C.sublateralis、C.taihokuensis和锐果薹草(C.tatsutakensis)并入百里薹草;将沟囊薹草(C.canaliculata)、樟木薹草(C.changmuensis)、C.distantiflora、隐匿薹草(C.infossa)、显穗薹草(C.infossa var.extensa)、C.lateralis、C.loheri、无芒长嘴薹草(C.longerostrata var.exaristata)、城湾薹草(C.longerostrata var.hoi)、C.lyi、和平菱果薹草(C.macrandrolepis)和C.sharyotensis并入尖叶薹草。     

Morphometric analysis of Schizachyrium condensatum (Poaceae) and related species

Our aim was to assess the degree of morphological differentiation of a group of taxa of Schizachyrium Nees, which presents similar inflorescences and shares habitat and geographic areas: Schizachyrium bimucronatum, S. condensatum, S. lactiflorum, S. microstachyum subsp. microstachyum, S. microstachyum subsp. elongatum, and S. plumigerum. To accomplish this purpose, 22 exomorphological traits were analyzed using multivariate methods. The results obtained support the identity of Schizachyrium condensatum and related species as independent taxa. In addition, the analysis evidences the reliability of several inflorescence characters, which had not been previously considered in the identification of the different taxa. Based upon the information obtained, a new identification key for these taxa was constructed.     

Ecological differentiation of Central EuropeanBolboschoenus taxa and their relationship to plant communities

The taxa of theBolboschoenus maritimus group occurring in Central Europe were studied with respect to morphological differentiation, plant communities and soil conditions. Four morphological types ofBolboschoenus were distinguished, differing in habitat conditions, dispersal and distribution: type 1 —Bolboschoenus maritimus subsp.maritimus with narrow triangular fruits; type 2 —B. maritimus subsp.maritimus with wider triangular fruits, type 3 —B. maritimus subsp.compactus with round convex fruits; and type 4 —B. planiculmis auct. with concave fruits. Strong ecological differentiation of these types was found compared with relatively weak morphological diagnostic features. High discriminant efficiency appeared in the relationship to soil chemistry. Differences were also found in habitat-type spectra of individualBolboschoenus morphological types, which was reflected in their affinities to plant communities. Nomenclature, taxonomic classification, and distribution of these taxa in Europe need thorough revision.     

Seed coat morphology of some Turkish Campanula (Campanulaceae) species and its systematic implications

The seed coat morphology of 10 Campanula species from Turkey, 3 of which are endemic, was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Characteristics of the seeds and their surface morphology were described and compared. Two different types were described based on seed surface features. The Type 1 seed surface was characterized by a reticulate pattern; only C. Olympica belonged to this type. The Type 2 seed surface had a striate testa and was the most common type. It included C. Lyrata subsp. lyrata, C. rapunculoides L. subsp. rapunculoides, C. glomerata L. subsp. hispida, C. involucrata, C. saxonorum, C. persicifolia, C. latiloba subsp. latiloba, C. lactiflora and C. Rapunculus L. var. lambertiana. However, some differences among these species were determined on the basis of their seed surface features at the microstructural level. These features were evaluated as possibly consistent parameters in the delimination of the Campanula taxa studied.     

Anatomical and micromorphological studies on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Teucrium</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isotriodon</Emphasis> (Lamiaceae) in Turkey with a taxonomic note

In this study, the anatomical features of the leaf and stem, besides the nutlet characteristics of some Teucrium sect. Isotriodon (Lamiaceae) taxa in Turkey, T. montbretii Betham subsp. montbretii, T. montbretii subsp. pamphylicum P. H. Davis, T. odontites Boiss. &; Bal., T. cavernarum P. H. Davis, T. antitauricum T. Ekim, along with an isolated population of T. montbretii (T. montbretii subsp.) were investigated. The anatomical studies revealed that the taxa share generally similar anatomical characters, such as thicker upper leaf cuticles and larger upper leaf epidermal cells compared to lower ones and diacytic to anomocytic stomata on the leaves. However, the portion of the mesophyll occupied by palisade parenchyma and the occurrence of mucilage cells in leaf epidermis shows difference among the taxa. Furthermore, the studied taxa have general stem characteristics of the Lamiaceae family, except for having poorly developed collenchyma at the corners. With the amphistomatic leaves and developed sclerenchymatic tissue in the leaf median vein, T. cavernarum is seperated from the other taxa. Trichome types on the vegetative organs and nutlet shape and sculpturing are generally the same or similar in the studied taxa, but trichomes on the nutlets are different among them. Based on nutlet characteristics and some morphological ones, it was revealed that the isolated population of T. montbretii represent a new subspecies, T. monbretii subsp. yildirimlii M.Dinç &; S.Do?u subsp. nov.     

Palynological investigations on some Hypericum taxa (Hypericaceae) growing naturally in Turkey

This study examined the detailed pollen morphological structures of sixteen Hypericum taxa (four endemic, twelve non endemic) including eight sections showing the natural distribution in Turkey: H. sect. Ascyreia (H. calycinum L.), H. sect. Heterophyllum (H. heterophyllum Vent.), H. Sect. Taeniocarpium (Hypericum confertum Choisy subsp. confertum, H. venustum Fenzl, H. linaroides Bosse), H. sect. Drosocarpium (H. montbretii Spach, H. bithynicum Boiss.), H. sect. Crossophyllum (H. adenotrichum Spach, H. orientale L.), H. sect. Olympia (H. olympicum L. subsp. olympicum), H. sect. Origanifolia (H. origanifolium Willd., H. avicularifolium Jaub and Spach subsp. depilatum (Freyn and Bornm.) Robson var. depilatum, H. avicularifolium Jaub. and Spach subsp. byzantinum) and H. sect. Hypericum (H. tetrapterum Fries, H. perforatum L., H. triquetrifolium Tura). These taxa were studied under light microscope and scanning electron microscope for the first time. Of the taxa studied, H. tetrapterum has the smallest pollen grains (on average 15.85–17.20 × 15.45–16.05 μm); and H. olympicum subsp. olympicum the largest grains (on average 22.90–23.10 × 21.40–22.10 μm). The pollen grains of 15 taxa are subprolate and one taxon is prolate-spheroidal. The regular pollen grains of all 16 taxa are 3-zonocolporate. Ornamentation is microreticulate; lumina regularly spaced in eight taxa, tectum perforatum; tectal perforations regularly spaced in seven taxa and tectum perforatum; and tectal perforations grouped together in one taxon. Endoaperture is cruciform porus, with short lateral and meridional extensions in ten taxa, cruciform porus, transversally elongated, with very small lateral extensions in one taxon and lalongate colpus in five taxa. Basic pollen types are ten taxa in type X, five taxa in type IV and one taxon in type II.     

CAREX GRACEII SP. N., CYPEROCARPUS ELIASII SP. N., CYPEROCARPUS TERRESTRIS SP. N., AND CYPEROCARPUS PULCHERRIMA SP. N. (CYPERACEAE) FROM THE MIOCENE OF NEBRASKA

Silicified achenes and some perigynia of four new sedges are described from the late middle or late Miocene Ash Hollow (Clarendonian or Hemphillian) and early middle Miocene Sheep Creek (Late Hemingfordian) Formations of Nebraska. Carex graceii, sp. n., Cyperocarpus terrestris, sp. n., and Cyperocarpus pulcherrima, sp. n., were collected from strata in Garden and Antelope Counties and Cyperocarpus eliasii, sp. n., was collected from strata in Sioux County. Certain of the newly discovered taxa exhibit considerable anatomical detail of the pericarp wall of the achene. In two taxa, Carex graceii and Cyperocarpus pulcherrima, the achene pericarp exhibits four topographic regions: a cuticle, an outer layer of pentagonally to hexagonally shaped epidermal cells containing silica bodies, a middle layer of sclerenchyma cells, and an inner layer of sclerenchyma cells whose long axes are perpendicular to the long axes of the cells of the middle layer. Similar pericarp anatomy was found in Cyperocarpus terrestris except that the inner layer was not observed. In the fourth taxon, Cyperocarpus eliasii, only an outer epidermal layer of elongate cells with small protuberances is preserved. The ultrastructure of the pericarp of the fossil taxa is similar to that of living forms. Associated flora and fauna indicate widespread savanna environments with significant riparian elements. This is the first systematic treatment of sedges from the Miocene of North America.     

A new species of carex sect. bracteosae

Carex socialis, a new species in sect.Bracteosae, is described from southern Illinois and Missouri. It is remarkable in its possession of long creeping rhizomes, as well as in its extremely slender perigynia.     

Coalescence-based species delimitation using genome-wide data reveals hidden diversity in a cosmopolitan group of lichens

Although there is an abundance of species delimitation methods on the market, most approaches depend on predefined assignment of specimens to species or populations. Assignment-free methods, which can simultaneously infer boundaries and relationships among species, are of high importance in cases, when correct pre-assignment is difficult or not at all possible. In this study, we use assignment-free multispecies coalescent-based species delimitation (STACEY, tr2-delimitation, and BP&P), phylogenetic methods, and clustering algorithms to investigate the inter- and infraspecific relationships within a common and widespread group of lichens with contentious species boundaries. The Cetraria aculeata group presents a good example of extreme morphological variability and unclear species delimitation in lichens. Based on DNA-sequence data from 26 fungal loci and 10 microsatellite loci, as well as morphological and chemical data, our results provide evidence for the occurrence of five different taxa within the group and highlight the difficulties of morphologically distinguishing these species. We discovered a separate lineage (clade C) within C. aculeata s. str., which does not fully coincide with any of the a priori identified species C. aculeata, C. crespoae, or C. steppae and conclude that this clade constitutes a semi-cryptic, genetically isolated lineage within C. aculeata. We recognize this lineage at subspecific rank as C. aculeata subsp. steppae and synonymize Cetraria crespoae with C. aculeata subsp. aculeata. Epitypes are designated for all involved names to stabilize their usage. The PKS8 gene locus is recommended as a barcode for the separation of C. aculeata subsp. aculeata and subsp. steppae. We demonstrate the potential use of microsatellite data for species delimitation in lichens that might offer an alternative insight or be used to test species delimitation hypotheses, when dealing with closely related or potentially cryptic species. Our results also confirm the presence of an undescribed sister lineage to C. odontella previously misidentified as C. muricata and extend the known range of this lineage to Central Asia (Altay Mts.) and the Central European Alps (France, Switzerland), which calls for a critical reappraisal of records of C. aculeata and C. muricata from these mountain ranges.

     

Remarks on the Taxonomy and nomenclature of theCarex bigelowii complex

Carex bigelowii complex is a group of taxa distributed over the whole Arctic region and in the mountains of the temperate zone. The species was described from the White Mountains in the eastern part of USA. The plants from Central Europe, the British Isles and Fennoscandinavian mountains differ from the plants of the typelocality in a number of characters, especially in the character of the inflorescence. On the basis of these differences the European plants represent a new taxon which is described asCarex bigelowii Torr. exSchweinitz subsp.nardeticola Holub, subsp. nova. Very closely related plants to the new taxon are known from Central Siberia and from the Arctic region.     

Insight into the structure and chemistry of glandular trichomes of Labiatae, with emphasis on subfamily Lamioideae

Glandular trichomes of Labiatae are among the most investigated secretory structures. Most species studied belong to subfamily Nepetoidae, including plants with aromatic properties, while so far a few species of subfamily Lamioideae were examined. In this work, we studied the micromorphology, ultrastructure, type and release of secretion of the glandular trichomes present on leaves and flowers of several species belonging to subfamily Lamioideae, (Stachys alopecuros (L.) Bentham subsp. alopecuros, S. officinalis (L.) Trevisan subsp. officinalis, S. germanica L. subsp. germanica, S. germanica L. subsp. salviifolia (Ten.) Gams, S. sylvatica L., S. heraclea All., S. plumosa Griseb., S. annua L., Prasium majus L., Sideritis romana L.) and one to the sister group Scutellarioideae (Scutellaria galericulata L.). Besides the well-known peltate and small capitate trichomes, widely described in the literature, other types of glandular trichomes were encountered; stalked peltate hairs and large capitate hairs. In particular, a new type of capitate trichome, exclusive of calices and corollas, which presents a mode and release of secretion never described before, is reported.     

Selected chromosome counts of the Czechoslovak flora I

Chromosome numbers of the following nine taxa of the Czechoslovak flora are given:Atriplex rosea L.,Cardamine resedifolia L.,Groenlandia densa (L.)Fourr.,Isoëtes lacustris L.,Lysimachia nemorum L.,Parnassia palustris L.,Phelipanche caesia (Rchb.) Soják,Rumex patientia L. subsp.patientia andSymphytum officinale L. s. str. A new chromosome number of 2n=80 is reported forRumex patientia L. subsp.patientia. Chromosome numbers of another five taxa are first reported from Czechoslovakia. Each of the ascertained chromosome counts is discussed with respect to hitherto known reports.     

Monograph of Carex section Schiedeanae (Cyperaceae): Unexpected taxonomic and ecological diversity in a Mexican sedge clade

Carex section Schiedeanae (subg. Euthyceras) has long been thought to comprise at most five species of Mexican sedges. Our morphological studies in the field and herbarium, however, supported by more recent DNA sequencing work, demonstrate that the section is, in fact, three times as species-rich, making it one of the largest sections in Mexico. Its 15 species range from Chihuahua to Tamaulipas south to Veracruz and Oaxaca; a single species, Carex muriculata, extends into the United States. The section has unusual inflorescences with simple (except in Carex complexa), uniformly androgynous, sessile spikes, utriculiform cladoprophylls, and perigynia with a unique combination of pubescence types composed of papillae; unicellular, simple hairs; and (in many species) multicellular tubercles. We recognize five previously described species (C. muriculata,Carex perstricta,Carex schiedeana, Carex stellata, and Carex vizarronensis) and describe 10 additional species (Carex angustilepis, Carex cabralii, Carex complexa, Carex dentata, Carex gypsophila, Carex mesophila, Carex paneroi, Carex planilamina, Carex revoluta, and Carex tehuacana). We have expanded the morphological features used in the section to include particularly anther, staminate scale, and style features, and more detailed micromorphology of the perigynia, especially indumentum. In total, 13 of the 15 species recognized herein, with a total of 32 individuals, were examined for ETS and ITS for phylogenetic reconstruction. Phylogenetically, the xeric species (plus C. paneroi) form a grade leading to a clade of the more mesophytic species adapted to forest understories, plus the unique cliff dwelling C. complexa.     

Using genomics to guide seed‐sourcing at the right taxonomical level for ecological restoration projects: The complex case of Carex bigelowii s.lat. in Norway

There is a growing demand for ecological restoration using suitable seeds following international standards or national legal demands for local seed‐sourcing. However, before selecting the appropriate geographic origin of seeds, it is vital to explore taxonomic complexity related to the focal taxa. We used ddRAD‐seq to screen genomic diversity within Carex bigelowii s.lat. focussing on Norway. This species complex is considered a candidate for seeding, but presents considerable morphological, ecological, and genetic variation. The genetic structure of 132 individuals of C. bigelowii s.lat., including Carex nigra as an outgroup, was explored using ordinations, clustering analyses, and a genetic barrier algorithm. Two highly divergent clusters were evident, supporting the recognition of two taxonomic units “C. dacica” and C. bigelowii “subsp. bigelowii”. Previously defined seed‐sourcing regions for C. bigelowii s.lat. did not consider the known taxonomic complexity, and therefore interpreted the overall genetic structure as seed‐sourcing regions, not taxa. We estimated genetic neighborhood sizes within each taxon to be 100–150 km and 300 km, respectively, indicating species‐specific delimitations of local seed‐sourcing regions. Frequent hybrids, local genetic distinctiveness, and suggested ecotypes add complexity to the discussed seed‐sourcing regions. Our results show how genomic screening of diversity and structure in a species complex can alleviate the taxonomic impediment, inform practical questions, and legal requirements related to seed‐sourcing, and together with traditional taxonomic work provide necessary information for a sound management of biodiversity.     

Variability of the inflorescence morphology of Carex spicata (Cyperaceae) and its implication to taxonomy

Plants growing in different kinds of habitats are expected to show high morphological plasticity. Carex spicata Huds. occurs in different plant communities and shows distinct morphological variability of the inflorescences. Field observations carried out in different plant communities permitted us to hypothesize that the morphological variability of C. spicata inflorescences may to some degree be the result of the habitat. The objective of this study was to test that hypothesis for C. spicata by collecting inflorescences and measuring their morphological features from several populations in each of six plant communities: Agropyro‐Urticetum dioiceae, Arrhenatheretum elatioris, Lolio‐Cynosuretum, Lolio‐Plantaginetum, Trifolio‐Agrimonietum, and Stellario‐Deschampsietum. The following inflorescence features were analyzed: length of the lowest spikelet, distance between two lowest spikelets, length of inflorescence, number of spikelets, and length proportion of the lowest spikelet to the distance between the two lowest spikelets. We found that all analyzed morphological characters differed significantly among the plant communities. Furthermore, we found significant differences among populations within the six plant communities. Moreover, C. spicata inflorescences often have morphological features (i.e. a less crowded inflorescence with a relatively large distance between the two lowest spikelets) similar to the closely related species C. muricata L. Thus, the limited diagnostic value of inflorescence crowding, especially in vegetative or early fruiting phases, suggests that the taxonomic importance of this character should be reconsidered.     

Taxonomic Study of Linaria depauperata and L. supina Complexes in Eastern Spain

Morphological characteristics were studied in two groups ofclosely related taxa of sectionSupinae , Linaria depauperataand L. supina, from eastern Spain. Vegetative, floral and seedcharacteristics were of little use in distinguishing betweenthese taxa as the ranges for all the taxa studied overlapped.Flower colour could be used as a diagnostic character for somebut not all of these taxa. Seed coat characters were of hightaxonomic value, both when trying to distinguish among thesetwo groups, and the taxa included within them, and also whenestablishing relationships among the taxa studied. Some differenceswere found in the indumentum distribution and density. Threetypes of trichomes were identified, two of them eglandular andcommon to all taxa. The third type of trichome was a simplegland, that varied in the number of cells in the stalk and gland.Trichome length and wall width of stalk cells allowed severalgroups of taxa to be distinguished. Similarity relationshipsamong the samples studied are shown in a UPGMA phenogram. Accordingto these results, two new species, L. cardonica and L. sulphurea,are described. L. arabiniana is conspecific with L. depauperatasubsp. hegelmaieri. A key to identify the different taxa isprovided. Copyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Scropulariaceae, Antirrhineae, taxonomy, morphological characters, seed-coat, trichomes, Linaria depauperata,Linaria supina