A reexamination of infraspecific taxa of a wild potato,Solanum microdontum (Solanum sect.Petota:Solanaceae)

Current taxonomic interpretations ofSolanum microdontum Bitter partition the species into two or three infraspecific taxa, variously recognized as subspecies or varieties. The present study reexamines these taxa using morphological data from four individuals each of 69 accessions from most of the range of the species, planted in a common field plot. Our results show that the character states used to recognize infraspecific taxa inS. microdontum often vary within accessions and have no correlation with geography. We conclude that past hypotheses have used typological concepts and that infraspecific taxa are not warranted. This study questions other hypotheses of infraspecific taxa in sect.Petota.     

The benthic algal flora on rocky substrata of the Tremiti Islands (Adriatic Sea)

ABSTRACT

The results of a floristic study of benthic marine macroalgae on rocky substrata from the Tremiti Islands (Adriatic Sea) are presented. The list of taxa at specific and infraspecific level consists of 226 Rhodophyceae, 59 Fucophyceae and 36 Chlorophyceae. Of these 321 taxa, 147 are newly reported from the Tremiti Islands. Data on the reproductive phenology of each species, and comments on some species of particular interest are also given.     

Phagnalon Metlesicsii Nova Sp. Aus Westsizilien,Mit Einem Überblick Über Die Gruppe Von Phagnalon Rupestre Im Mittelmeerraum

Abstract

«Phagnalon metlesicsii», a new species from Western Sicily, with a survey of the «Ph. rupestre» — group in the Mediterranean Region. — Phagnalon metlesicsii, a new species of the complex Ph. rupestre — Ph. graecum, is described. It is entirely glabrous and occurs in Western Sicily (M. Cofano) on vertical limestone rocks, nearly 200 mts. above the sea, in community with a flora particularly rich on endemics. The variability of the whole complex is discussed and some infraspecific taxa are proposed.     

Synopsis ofVerbesina sect.Ochractinia (Asteraceae)

A taxonomic revision ofVerbesina sect.Ochractinia is presented. 40 species plus 7 additional infraspecific taxa are recognized. A table of the distribution of the species, key to the species and synonymy are included. Relationships to other sections ofVerbesina and species relationships within sect.Ochractinia are discussed.     

Studies in the Diatom Genus Hantzschia 3. Infraspecific Variation in H. virgata

Infraspecific variation has been investigated in the marineepipelic diatom Hantzschia virgata using light and electronmicroscopy. Although the variation pattern in this species iscomplex and to some extent discontinuous, allowing the recognitionon phenetic grounds of four or five discrete infraspecific taxaincluding vars. virgata (= H. insolita), gracilis, leptocephala(= capitellata) and wittii (= intermedia), it is concluded thatto split the species would be imprudent. Variation has beenfound not only in characters such as valve outline and size,or stria density, but also in ‘qualitative’ characterssuch as raphe, fibula and girdle structure, characters whichhave often been assumed to be constant within species, generaor taxa of higher rank: previous generalizations about the usefulnessof certain characters in distinguishing taxa of a given rankare seen to have been incautious. Hantzschia virgata (Roper) Grun., diatom taxonomy, infraspecific variation     

CHROMOSOME COUNTS OF COMPOSITAE FROM THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO

Chromosome counts are reported for 126 taxa representing 122 species and 61 genera of Compositae. First reports include two genera, Stylocline (n = 14) and Chromolepis (n = 19), 17 species, two infraspecific taxa, and one interspecific hybrid. Five additional taxa have chromosome numbers differing from previously published accounts. Carminatia is reinstated to generic status.     

Palynological study of Cupressus sempervirens L. var. pyramidalis and var. horizontalis

ABSTRACT

Cupressus sempervirens L. var. pyramidalis and C. sempervirens var. horizontalis were examined for their pollen morphometry and ultrastructure to verify whether, in addition to phenotype, pollen could also show characteristics useful to discriminate the two infraspecific taxa. C. sempervirens var. pyramidalis compared to C. sempervirens var. horizontalis has mainly larger, subcircular pollen with a higher percentage of apolar and germinating grains, and a wall with thicker intine; the cytoplasm has a greater number of callose-containing vesicles. C. sempervirens var. horizontalis has pollen distributed in five classes of shape. In addition it is smaller and shows a higher percentage of ruptured grains, and a lower percentage of germination in vitro. The cytoplasm contains vesicles rich in callose and also a higher amount of osmophilic bodies. Pollen grains in both varietas contain only one cell at dispersal. The reported differences in pollen morphometry, structure and biology, together with the phenotypic characteristics of the tree, support the validity of two infraspecific taxa.     

A biometric study of Fritillaria montana Hoppe ex W.D.J. Koch s.l. (Liliaceae) shows a single polymorphic species,with no infraspecific taxa

Abstract

The large amount of morphological variability within Fritillaria montana Hoppe ex W.D.J. Koch, a southeastern European species described from northeastern Italy, led to the creation of several further taxa: Fritillaria caussolensis Goaty & Pons ex Adoino from southeastern France, Fritillaria orsiniana Parl. from central Italy, Fritillaria intermedia N. Terracc. and Fritillaria pollinensis N. Terracc. from southern Italy. Aiming to test the taxonomic value of these taxa, a biometric study of both herbarium and living specimens of F. montana s.l. is carried out. A total of 22 morphological features were analysed and measured in 417 plants from 46 different localities, including loci classici of all the involved taxa. In addition, typical populations of F. montana, F. caussolensis, F. intermedia, F. orsiniana and F. pollinensis and also several other Italian populations resulted with 2n = 18 chromosomes. We also counted 2n = 27 chromosomes in endotriploid cells of plants from Abruzzo. However, there is no clear‐cut correlation between morphology and karyology. The biometric analysis, together with many observations on fresh material in the field, revealed that F. montana is a single polymorphic species with no infraspecific taxa.     

CHROMOSOME COUNTS AND TAXONOMIC NOTES FOR COMPOSITAE FROM THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO

Chromosome counts are reported for 167 taxa representing 160 species and 76 genera of Compositae. First reports for 27 species and 2 infraspecific taxa are included. New chromosome numbers are reported for 9 additional taxa. The genus Carminatia DC. is merged with Brickellia Ell. resulting in two new combinations: Brickellia tenuiflora (DC.) Keil & Pinkava and Brickellia recondita (McVaugh) Keil & Pinkava.     

Marine species in the algal flora of the Anzali Swamp (Iran)

The composition of marine species in the algal flora of the Anzali Swamp, which is situated parallel to the Caspian Sea coast, is examined. Sampling was carried out at seven stations. A total of 74 species with 89 infraspecific taxa were identified: Cyanophyta, 20 species; Cryptophyta, 2 species; Bacillariophyta, 51 species (66 infraspecific taxa); and Chlorophyta, 1 species.     

Distribution of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. (Fabaceae) in Uganda and its relationship to climatic factors

The aim of the study was to map the distribution of Acacia senegal and its infraspecific taxa in Uganda and predict its suitable range of occurrence based on climatic factors. The distribution of the infraspecific taxa was analysed for richness, diversity, turnover and reserve selection. Regression analysis was performed to understand the relationship between distribution of the species and climatic variables. Georeferenced species occurrence points were superimposed over temperature and vapour maps. Areas with highest taxa richness, diversity and turnover were mapped and found in the Lake Kyoga basin. The species shows preference for the northern region of the study area with dissimilar climatic pattern from the southern region and the superimposition supported findings. Variety kerensis exhibited narrower climatic, altitudinal and distribution range preference. Temperature seasonality, maximum temperature of warmest month, temperature annual range, mean temperatures of warmest and driest quarters had the highest coefficients of determination (r² > 0.7) hence most important in influencing species distribution. The most appropriate locations for in situ conservation and for germplasm collection to ensure maximum diversity is secured are found in Wabisi‐Wajala, Kiula, Kyalubanga, Bajo, Kasagala, Kabwika‐mujwalanganda, Maruzi, Moroto and Napak Central Forest Reserves. The study recommends ecological studies to understand status of A. senegal.     

Gagea bohemica (Liliaceae), a highly variable monotypic species within Gagea sect. Didymobulbos

Abstract

Gagea bohemica s.l. (Liliaceae) consists of two morphologically extreme forms (saxatilis and bohemica) which depending on the varying opinions of the authors are considered as separate species, subspecies or as a single variable species. In this study, morphological (form and length of perianth segments, pilosity of pedicles and peduncles) and molecular data (cpDNA trnL–trnF IGS) of 55 samples corresponding to 43 populations from Western Europe to the Mediterranean area and eastern Caucasus were investigated. G. bohemica (Zauschn.) Schult. & Schult. f. represents a highly variable monotypic species from both morphological and karyological (2n = 24, 36, 48, 60, 72) aspects. Based on the molecular and morphological data presented here, a differentiation between specific and infraspecific taxa is not possible. We hypothesize that the morphological variability of this species is largely influenced by different site conditions and ploidy level.     

中国高等植物多样性编目进展

中国高等植物多样性编目是“中国生物物种名录”项目中的重要组成部分, 旨在后植物志时代对中国高等植物的物种名录进行修订和年度更新。自2017年深圳国际植物学大会以来, 中国高等植物物种名录已进行了5次年度更新。名录参考最新的植物分类学研究进展, 对各大类群全面采用有分子证据的新分类系统, 收录5年来发表的中国植物新类群和新记录, 补充往年遗漏的部分类群, 并依据新的专科专属的修订结果对发生属间分类变动的类群进行了更新。目前的中国高等植物物种名录包含角苔类4科9属27种, 苔类62科170属1,081种94个种下等级, 藓类94科453属2,006种154个种下等级, 石松类3科12属165种4个种下等级, 蕨类38科177属2,215种228个种下等级, 裸子植物10科45属291种118个种下等级, 被子植物272科3,409属32,708种6,909个种下等级, 共计483科4,275属38,493种7,507个种下等级, 较5年前增加了19科270属2,334种。     

Flavonoid variation in Xanthisma texanum: Infrapopulation and interpopulation variation

Fourteen flavonoids were isolated from Xanthisma texanum. Chemosystematic interpretations are made concerning the origin and distribution of the infraspecific taxa of the species.     

Profiling a besieged flora: endemic and threatened plants of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa

The Cape Peninsula (area: 471 km²), situated at the south-western extremity of the Cape Floristic Region, has exceptionally high plant species richness (2285 species and infraspecific taxa) and numbers of endemic (90; 88 species and two infraspecific) and threatened (141; 138 species and three infraspecific) taxa (termed species from here on). This biodiversity is threatened by urban development and the spread of invasive alien plants. Peninsula endemics are concentrated in a few, predominantly species-rich families and these correspond well with endemic-rich families in other areas of the Cape Floristic Region. A high level of similarity exists between families with threatened and families with endemic species. A frequency analysis of the biological traits of both endemic and threatened species shows that low growing, ant-dispersed shrubs are over-represented in both groups. Endemics are most likely to be non-sprouters, but threatened plants do not have a specific post-fire regeneration strategy. Threatened species have higher frequencies of geophytes, sprouters and wind-dispersed species compared to endemic species. Numbers of endemic and threatened species are not randomly distributed with regard to occurrence in vegetation types and patterns are similar for both groups. The habitat and biological profiles of both endemic and threatened species suggest that they are highly vulnerable to extinction as a result of increasing rates of alien plant infestation, urbanization and inappropriate fire regimes.     

A revision of the South American genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apuleia</Emphasis> (Leguminosae,Cassieae)

Apuleia Mart., a genus of the Leguminosae native to South America, is revised. Species limits within the genus were tested using morphometrics and shape analysis of leaflets and fruits. Morphological evidence indicates that although there is great variation in Apuleia, the genus cannot be reliably separated into different species or infraspecific taxa. Apuleia is monospecific, comprising the single species A. leiocarpa (Vogel) J. F. Macbr.