The genus Maesa (Maesaceae) in the Philippines

A comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Maesa Forssk. (Maesaceae) occurring in the Philippines is presented for the first time. Thirteen species are recognized, including a newly described species, M. stonei , which is most similar to M. reflexa . Several previously used names are reduced to synonymy, including M. pachyphylla and M. undulata (both reduced to synonymy with M. cumingii ), and M. elmeri , M. laxa and M. ramosii (all reduced to synonymy with M. indica ). Extensive lectotypification has been necessary due to the destruction of many type specimens, particularly those of C. Mez (in B) and E. D. Merrill (in PNH). The conservation status of each species is determined using the IUCN red list categories and criteria.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 17–43.     

The bee‐killing flies,genus Melaloncha Brues (Diptera: Phoridae): a combined molecular and morphological phylogeny

The phylogeny of the bee‐killing flies, genus Melaloncha Brues (Diptera: Phoridae) is analysed using six genes –cytochrome oxidase I, 16S ribosomal DNA, 12S ribosomal DNA, NADH1 dehydrogenase, 28S ribosomal DNA and CAD– plus 47 morphological characters. A total of 91 specimens, including eight out‐groups and 83 Melaloncha (representing 70 species) were included in the analyses. Parsimony analysis of the combined data set produced a single most parsimonious tree with varied Bremer and bootstrap support of interior nodes. Bayesian analysis of molecules only and of morphology + molecules produced trees largely in agreement with parsimony results, although with a few differences. Supported groups included subfamily Metopininae, genus Melaloncha, and subgenera Melaloncha s.s. and Melaloncha (Udamochiras) Enderlein. Within the subgenera, the previously recognized Melaloncha furcata, Melaloncha cingulata, Melaloncha ungulata and Melaloncha stylata groups were recovered, as well as some new groupings. The M. furcata group was placed as the sister group of other Melaloncha s.s., which is consistent with known host‐attacking behaviour.     

The evolution of nocturnal behaviour in sweat bees,Megalopta genalis and M. ecuadoria (Hymenoptera: Halictidae): an escape from competitors and enemies?

Evolutionary transitions to dim-light foraging (predawn matinal, crepuscular, nocturnal) have occurred repeatedly in bees, and may be associated with an escape from enemies or competitors. To date, however, little information has been available to test these hypotheses. Here we provide the first detailed information on the nesting behaviour of two species of Neotropical, nocturnal sweat bees, Megalopta genalis and M. ecuadoria (Hymenoptera: Halictidae). Females are facultatively social or solitary, and construct nests in dead wood. Nocturnal foraging behaviour is bimodal. Bees began foraging after sunset (∼18:30 h) and ceased foraging approximately 1 h later even though nocturnal flowers with pollen were still abundant; a second foraging bout occurred in the predawn morning, which began at ∼04:45 h and ended around sunrise (∼06:15 h) when diurnal-blooming flowers were abundant. Bees are capable of controlled flight in full light. They utilized pollen from both canopy and understory plant species, which have diurnal or nocturnal pollen anthesis. Megalopta nests are attacked by generalist predators such as ants, as well as the endoparasitic fly Melaloncha sp. nov. (Phoridae), the beetle Macrosaigon gracilis (Rhipophoridae), the parasitic wasp Lophostigma cincta (Mutillidae), and the brood parasite Megalopta byroni (Halictidae). Overall nest survivorship rates were comparable to those for diurnal relatives, but rates of cell parasitism for Megalopta (< < 5%) were substantially lower than they are for day-flying relatives, offering some support for the hypothesis that the evolution of nocturnal behaviour enables escape from natural enemies.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 83 , 377–387.     

Systematic revision of Myristicaceae (Magnoliales) in Madagascar, with four new species of Mauloutchia

The systematics of Malagasy Myristicaceae is revised to take into account new collections made since the work by Capuron in the 1970s, as well as improved knowledge from fieldwork and two scanning electron microscopy studies by the author. Four new species are described: Mauloutchia annickiae Sauquet, M. capuronii Sauquet, M. echinocarpa Capuron ex Sauquet, and M. sambiranensis (Capuron) Sauquet. In addition, basic information is given for each remaining Malagasy species of the family (synonymy, type specimen, updated distribution and main distinctive features). According to this treatment, Malagasy Myristicaceae now consist of four endemic genera and 15 species: Brochoneura Warb. (three species), Doyleanthus Sauquet (one species), Haematodendron Capuron (one species) and Mauloutchia (Baill.) Warb. (ten species). Two identification keys to these species are provided: one based primarily on fruit characters and one based primarily on male flower and inflorescence characters. Putative phylogenetic relationships among these species are also indicated, based on a previous combined morphological and molecular study by the author.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 351–368.     

The lichenicolous Opegrapha species (Roccellaceae, Ascomycota) with 3-septate ascospores on Pertusaria and Ochrolechia

The Opegrapha species with 3-septate ascospores growing on Pertusaria and Ochrolechia are revised. Two species are recognized: Opegrapha anomea (of which O. pertusariae , O. quaternella , O. wetmorei and possibly Leciographa weissii are considered to be synonyms), and O. blakii Ertz & Diederich sp. nov. described from a sterile lichen with an Ochrolechia -like thallus, known from Ecuador and Venezuela. Opegrapha anomea and several related lichenicolous species with roundish or irregular, often multilocular ascomata are morphologically intermediate between Opegrapha and Plectocarpon , and might represent a distinct genus.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144, 235−241.     

A new Spanish species of Tragopogon (Asteraceae: Lactuceae)

Tragopogon cazorlanum (Asteraceae: Lactuceae) is proposed as a new Spanish species with distribution restricted to the Baetic mountains (south-eastern Spain). Its morphological, palynological, chromosomal, biogeographical and ecological features are discussed, as well as its main relationships and differences with reference to other Spanish species of the genus.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 505–511.     

Phylogeny of Labidodemas and the Holothuriidae (Holothuroidea: Aspidochirotida) as inferred from morphology

The Holothuriidae is one of the three established families within the large holothuroid order Aspidochirotida. The approximately 185 recognized species of this family are commonly classified in five nominal genera: Actinopyga , Bohadschia , Holothuria , Pearsonothuria and Labidodemas. Maximum parsimony analyses on morphological characters, as inferred from type and nontype material of the five genera, revealed that Labidodemas comprises highly derived species that arose from within the genus Holothuria . The paraphyletic status of the latter, large (148 assumed valid species) and morphologically diverse genus has recently been recognized and is here confirmed and discussed. Nevertheless, we adopt a Darwinian or eclectic classification for Labidodemas , which we retain at generic level within the Holothuriidae. We compare our phylogeny of the Holothuriidae with previous classifications of its genera and subgenera, and make suggestions concerning possible systematic changes.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 144 , 103−120.     

Taxonomic relationships between Pachycerus and Rhabdorrhynchus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Lixinae), with descriptions of two new species of Rhabdorrhynchus from the Arabian Peninsula

Taxonomic relationships between Rhabdorrhynchus and Pachycerus are discussed, and two new species of Rhabdorrhynchus are described: Rhabdorrhynchus sauditus (type locality: Saudi Arabia, As Shāqqah al Yamānīyah, 19°42'N, 40°48'E) and Rhabdorrhynchus emir (type locality: United Arab Emirates, Jebel Ali, 24°59'N, 55°43'E). Some hypotheses on the distribution of the new species in the Arabian Peninsula, based on a biogeographical analysis, are proposed.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 25–37.     

Phylogeny and species boundaries in the gobiid genus Gnatholepis (Teleostei: Perciformes)

Species of the goby genus Gnatholepis Bleeker, 1874, are common inhabitants of shallow tropical seas worldwide. In this study, mitochondrial DNA sequence (ND2 gene), from 349 Gnatholepis individuals sampled from across the South and Central Pacific and Caribbean, is used to infer phylogeny and determine species boundaries. Seven species of Gnatholepis are recognized: the Indo-Pacific G. anjerensis (Bleeker, 1851) [ G. cauerensis (Bleeker, 1853) is a synonym]; G. scapulostigma Herre, 1953; G. davaoensis Seale, 1910; G. knighti Jordan & Evermann, 1903; G. gymnocara Randall & Greenfield, 2001; G.  sp. Randall & Greenfield, 2001; and the Atlantic/Caribbean G. thompsoni Jordan, 1904. Results from the molecular phylogeny are compared with a previous morphology-based revision of the genus in order to establish which morphological characters diagnose species in correspondence with the molecular phylogeny.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 142 , 573–582.     

Trichome complement of Turnera and Piriqueta (Turneraceae)

The indumentum of Piriqueta and Turnera is made up of nine different types of trichomes, which broadly can be divided into glandular and non-glandular. Taking into account foot shape, head size and pedicle size, five variants of glandular trichomes are recognized: microcrapitate, stipitate-capitate, sessile-capitate and setiform. The non-glandular trichomes can be simple (unicellular or pluricellular-uniseriate), stellate or porrect-stellate. The setiform glandular hairs are present in most species of Piriqueta . Simple unicellular hairs are the most widespread type, frequently being found in combination with other trichomes. Stellate trichomes show a restricted distribution in both genera. Within Piriqueta , section Africana has only simple trichomes, whereas section Piriqueta has also porrect-stellate trichomes; groups of species can be set up according to the presence and type of glandular trichomes. Within Turnera the stipitate-capitate trichomes are exclusive to series Papilliferae ; sessile-capitate trichomes are found in series Microphyllae , Annulares and in some species of Salicifoliae ; clavate trichomes are found only in series Turnera ; setiform glandular hairs are exclusive to T. collotricha , whereas the microcapitate trichomes are widely distributed.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144 , 85–97.     

Two new species from Gabon show the need to reduce Commitheca to the synonymy of Pauridiantha (Rubiaceae, Pauridiantheae)

Two new Pauridiantha species (Pauridiantheae, Rubiaceae) from Gabon are described and illustrated. Pauridiantha pleiantha is characterized by a combination of entirely glabrous stems, stipules with a narrow base, and large inflorescences. Pauridiantha smetsiana is characterized by entirely glabrous stems, narrow, early deciduous stipules, leaves red-tinged when dry, and small inflorescences. The two new species, especially P. smetsiana , close the morphological gap between Commitheca and Pauridiantha in combining typical Commitheca characters, such as glabrous stems and a narrow stipular base, with Pauridiantha characters, such as eucamptodromous venation. A detailed morphological comparison (including ovary structure, seed morphology, exotesta anatomy, and pollen morphology) between the two genera is given; in conclusion, Commitheca is relegated to the synonymy of Pauridiantha . The necessary new specific combinations are provided.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 141 , 105–117.     

Karyomorphology of Incarvillea (Bignoniaceae) and its implications in distribution and taxonomy

The karyomorphology of 11 species of the genus Incarvillea Juss. is reported. The chromosome numbers of all species studied are 2 n  = 22. The interphase nuclei and prophase chromosomes were found to be of the simple chromocentre type and the interstitial type, respectively. The asymmetry of the karyotype of I. arguta (two populations) in subgenus Amphicome is type 2A. The karyotypes of Incarvillea s inensis var. sinensis , I.  s inensis var. przewalskii, and I. olgae in subgenus Incarvillea are of asymmetry type 3A. The remaining nine species and one variety in subgenus Pteroscleris are also of asymmetry 3A. Data on three species and one variety studied are first reports. This study indicates that karyotype variation at the diploid level appears to be the predominant feature of chromosome evolution in the genus Incarvillea . According to this study of karyomorphology, morphological characteristics and geographical distribution, it seems that the three subgenera should be regarded as three independent genera. The geography of the genus is discussed.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144 , 113–121.     

Karyomorphology of Davidia involucrata and Camptotheca acuminata, with special reference to their systematic positions

Davidia involucrata Baill. and Camptotheca acuminata Decne were investigated and compared karyomorphologically. Their idiogrammatic formulae are, respectively, 2 n  = 42 = 20m (2SAT) + 16sm + 4st + 2t and 2 n  = 42 = 22m (2SAT) + 14sm + 4st + 2t. The plants are very similar: both belong to the 2B asymmetry karyotype (the karyotypes are reported here for the first time) and in both the prophase chromosomes are of the interstitial type. Davidia is believed to be closely related to Camptotheca . We do not consider it appropriate to remove Davidia from Camptotheca into a different family or subfamily. The cytological data support Davidia and Camptotheca forming a subfamily (Davidioideae) of the broadly circumscribed Cornaceae.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144 , 193-198.     

Speciation in Darwin's darklings: taxonomy and evolution of Stomion beetles in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador (Insecta: Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Stomion is one of three speciose and taxonomically difficult genera of flightless Darwin's darkling beetles of the Galápagos Islands. The previously named species and subspecies of Stomion are analysed by morphometric and cladistic methods. Eleven species are here recognized, which probably descended from colonization by a single ancestral species. Cladistic analysis yielded two weakly supported clades that are different from previously published morphological and allozyme genotype groups. Phenotypic and genotypic characters may be evolving independently. There is much within-species variation, but there is no compelling evidence of adaptive radiation in Stomion , in contrast to that in the famous Darwin's finches. The analyses show the need for changes in morpho-species taxonomy: S. punctipennis Van Dyke ( syn. nov. ) is elevated to full species from a subspecies of S. galapagoensis Waterhouse. There is no evidence to support the validity of: S. laevigatum santacruzensi Franz ( syn. nov. ), synonomized here under S. l. laevigatum Waterhouse; S. galapagoensis leleupi Kaszab ( syn. nov. ), synonomized here under S. linelli Blair; S. galapagoensis pinzoni Franz ( syn. nov. ), synonomized here under S. obesum Van Dyke. S. genovesa sp. nov. is described from Genovesa Island. Lectotypes are designated for S. galapagoensis Waterhouse, S. laevigatum Waterhouse and S. helopoides Waterhouse .   © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 141 , 135–152.     

Towards a revision of the genus Parastenocaris Kessler, 1913: establishment of Simplicaris gen. nov. from groundwaters in central Italy and review of the P. brevipes-group (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Parastenocarididae)

A new genus Simplicaris (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Parastenocarididae) is established to accommodate two species collected from deep groundwater in Italy, S. lethaea sp. nov. and S. veneris (Cottarelli & Maiolini, 1980) comb. nov. Parastenocaris hippuris Hertzog, 1938 and P. aedes Hertzog, 1938 are ranked as incertae sedis within the genus. Members display complete absence of leg 5 in both sexes and an unusual elongation of the first exopodal segments of legs 1–4, in which exp-1 is distinctly longer than exp-2 or -3, or as long as exp-2 and -3 combined. As the systematic status of the family Parastenocarididae and of the type genus Parastenocaris is still in flux, a list of phylogenetically informative characters is proposed, along with a discussion of their various states in representative members of the family. The genus Parastenocaris sensu stricto is redefined to comprise only the brevipes -group. The remaining members of the genus are considered Parastenocaris sensu lato pending a thorough revision of the family.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 417−436.     

Phylogeny and life-history evolution in Carabus (subtribe Carabina: Coleoptera, Carabidae) based on sequences of two nuclear genes

We reconstructed the phylogeny of the holarctic carabid subtribe Carabina (= Carabus s . l. ; Coleoptera, family Carabidae, supertribe Carabitae, tribe Carabini) using sequence data from two nuclear DNA loci: wingless ( Wg ) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase ( PepCK ). The analysis of the combined data resulted in a well-resolved tree, although Wg and PepCK had partially conflicting phylogenetic signals. The tree topology did not support the reciprocal monophyly of some previously proposed major divisions, whereas all but one of eight other previously proposed subdivisions were recovered as monophyletic clades; the exception was paraphyletic. When two key life-history traits, seasonal life cycle and larval diet, were mapped onto the combined tree, spring breeding (with no larval overwintering) and insectivorous were ancestral traits. Malacophagy has apparently evolved at least twice: once in a small basal group (ten species) and again in a large derived group ( c . 340 species) that accounts for 42% of the species of Carabina. A third type of larva, earthworm feeders, appeared in two related, derived clades and represented moderate species diversity (12%). From the ancestral spring-breeder type with no larval overwintering, autumn-breeder types with larval overwintering apparently evolved repeatedly in insectivorous and malacophagous species, but not in earthworm feeders. Therefore, the extant diversity of the Carabina depends on the high rate of differentiation in the most derived group of malacophagous species.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 81 , 135–149.     

New species and new records of Menegazzia (Parmeliaceae, lichenized ascomycetes) from Malaysia and Indonesia

The genus Menegazzia (Parmeliaceae, lichenized ascomycetes) in Malaysia and Indonesia is studied. Some specimens from Papua New Guinea are also included. The great majority of available specimens are from Kinabalu Park, State of Sabah, Malaysia. Three species are described as new to science, namely the two sorediate species M. capitata (from Sabah and Pahang in Malaysia) and M. sabahensis (from Sabah), and the fertile, primary species M. monospora (from Sabah and Papua New Guinea). M. asahinae , M. dissoluta , and M. efflorescens are reported for the first time from Malaysia, and M. subsimilis is reported for the first time from Malaysia and Indonesia. The subgenus Megamenegazzia is newly described to accommodate the large, broad-lobed species with numerous perforations on the lower surface. M. efflorescens is selected as the type species for the new subgenus. Notes are also provided on the type specimens of Hypogymnia pectinatula , a species originally considered as belonging to Menegazzia .  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 489–499.