Homoplasy and the delineation of holophyletic genera in some insect groups

Abstract. Some groups of insects, such as certain Ichneumonidae and fungus-feeding Phlaeothripidae, appear to have undergone frequent reversal or parallelism (homoplasy) of characters during evolution so that extant species present almost every imaginable permutation and combination of characters. Recognition of holophyletic genera in such groups is difficult. Large monothetically defined genera are often not holophyletic, whilst small genera need to be defined by a large and invariable character-suite. Any classification produced by adopting small genera will not possess one of the valuable attributes of the classical Linnaean system, its predictive ability; a large proportion of new species will require new genera. For groups exhibiting a high degree of homoplasy it is suggested that a polythetic classification be erected. Polythetic genera can be holophyletic groups and are not merely phenetic assemblages. The probability of correctly assigning a species (either a new one or when making an identification) is shown to be higher for a polythetic classification. A simple key device, the polyclave, is given to enable practical separation of two polythetic taxa. It is suggested that homoplasy, and its associated problems in classification, may be associated with a particular type of biology in which population size is not limited by direct competition.     

Seed structure and the taxonomy of the Cruciferae

The external morphology and anatomy of the seeds of some 90 genera and some 200 species of the Cruciferae have been investigated. Emphasis has been laid on the relationships of seed structure to taxonomy. As regards seed anatomy, the testa is probably of greatest value in determining taxonomic relationships. Seed structure supports the Cruciferae as a natural taxon. In the present investigation, few genera and species show seed characters which are either exclusive or very distinct. Of the remainder, most genera are distinguishable from each other on a permutation of their macroscopic and microscopic seed characters. However it is difficult or impossible to distinguish between some genera on seed characters. The present investigation provides no support for tribal divisions within the Cruciferae.     

Stemflow: A Source of Nutrients in some Naturally Growing Epiphytic Orchids of the Sikkim Himalaya

A study on five naturally growing epiphytic orchids viz., Bulbophyllum affine Lindl., Coelogyne ochracea Lindl., Otochilus porrecta Lindl., Cirrhopetalum cornutum Lindl. and C. cornutum (var.) was carried out in the subtropical belt of Sikkim Himalaya. Stemflow leachates formed the main source of ammonium-N and nitrate-N for uptake by these orchids. Phosphorus concentration in the tissues of these orchids was high. Phosphate-P from stemflow does not seem to be a regular source of phosphorus for these orchids. Absorption/desorption results indicate that organic-N from stemflow leachates is not utilized by these orchids.     

Phylogeny and classification of the Signiphoridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)

Abstract. A data set consisting of twenty-eight anatomical characters scored for twenty-eight terminal taxa representing the world fauna of Signiphoridae was analysed using parsimony and compatibility methods. The Coccophaginae (Aphelinidae) and the Azotinae (Aphelinidae) were used as outgroups to establish polarity of character state changes. Relationships of Signiphoridae to other Chalcidoidea are discussed. Several multistate characters were treated in the parsimony analyses either as unordered or as ordered into transformation series using additive binary coding, which in some cases drastically reduced the number of equally parsimonious solutions. Monophyly of Signiphoridae is supported by seven synapomorphies. Four genera, Chartocerus, Thysanus, Clytina and Signiphora , are recognized within Signiphoridae based on synapomorphies. Rozanoviella syn.n . and Kerrichiella syn.n . are synonymized under Signiphora. Species of Signiphora are further assigned to four species groups, three of which are demonstrably monophyletic. Nine species or subspecies are transferred to Chartocerus from Signiphora ( australicus comb.n. , australiensis comb.n. , australiensis orbiculatus comb.n., beethoveni comb.n. , corvinus comb.n. , funeralis comb.n. , reticulata comb.n. , ruskini comb.n. , thusanoides comb.n.) , one species to Thysanus from Signiphora (melancholicus comb.n.) , and one species to Signiphora from Kerrichiella ( coleoptratus comb.n.) . A key to genera of Signiphoridae and species groups of Signiphora is presented. A diagnosis, relevant nomenclatural history, and a list of included species are given for each genus and species group, and the biology and distribution of each is summarized.     

Adaptive radiation and genetic differentiation in the woodySonchus alliance (Asteraceae:Sonchinae) in the Canary Islands

The woodySonchus alliance consists of 19 species ofSonchus subg.Dendrosonchus, one species ofSonchus subg.Sonchus and species of five genera (i.e.Babcockia, Sventenia, Taeckholmia, Lactucosonchus, Prenanthes), and is restricted primarily to the archipelago of the Canaries in the Macaronesian phytogeographical region. An enzyme electrophoretic study, including 13 loci, was conducted to assess genetic diversity within and divergence among species of the alliance. Nei's genetic identities (distances) between genera and/or subgenera range from 0.490 (0.714) to 0.980 (0.013), and pairwise comparisons of all populations show relatively high genetic identities, with a mean of 0.804. The high identities further support the genetic cohesiveness of the alliance and its single origin on the Macaronesian islands. Species in the alliance also show about 50%; higher total genetic diversity (H_T) than the mean for other oceanic endemics. There is greater divergence between endemics or species on older islands compared to those on younger islands, which suggests that time is a factor for divergence at allozyme loci. Furthermore, populations on older islands have higher total genetic diversities and lower identities than conspecific populations on younger islands. These results imply early colonization, radiation, and divergence of the woodySonchus alliance on older islands followed by subsequent colonization to younger islands. The taxonomic distribution of alleles in the alliance indicates lineage sorting also played a role in divergence among species. Lineage sorting may also produce nonconcordance with either taxonomic designation or the pattern of variation obtained from other molecular markers such as ITS sequences of nrDNA. Timing for the origin and radiation of the alliance agrees with the estimate based on ITS sequences, and suggests that the early divergence and rapid radiation took place during the Late Tertiary on either Gran Canaria or Tenerife.     

浙江姬小蜂科分类学研究(膜翅目:小蜂总科)

在最近提交的天目山姬小蜂科的报告基础上,本文再次对浙江该科昆虫进行了分类学研究。根据从天目山采集的标本和中国科学院动物研究所动物标本馆馆藏标本。研究了分属于姬小蜂科4个亚科的20属35种。文中提供了亚科,属及物种的检索表,同时还提供了关键性状的扫描电镜照片,每个物种均附有最新的寄主记录和分布记录。根据现有材料,对浙江姬小蜂科昆虫进行了初步的分析。     

A generic revision of the Dorvilleidae (Polychaeta), with six new species from the deep North Pacific

PETER A. JUMARS
The Dorvilleidae are divided into eight genera: Dorvillea, Schistomeringos (new name), Protodorvillea, Meiodorvillea (new genus), Exallopus (new genus), Ophryotrocha, Parophryotrocha , and Apophryotrocha (new genus). Periodic maxillary replacement is found to occur in a manner which makes many often cited maxillary characters taxonomically unreliable. Therefore, the pharyngeal characters of all the type-species are redescribed or newly described. The discovery of new forms and the present interpretation of hard jaw parts permit construction of a phylogenetic scheme with Dorvillea as the most primitive genus containing living species. Suggestions are given for the advantageous use of the phenomenon of maxillary replacement in autecoiogical investigation.
Evidence is presented against the cosmopolitan distribution of Schistomeringos rudolphi , a species often noted in nearshore pollution studies. Newly described species are Dorvillea batia, Schistomeringos mediofurca, Meiodorvillea apalpata, Exallopus cropion, Ophryotrocha profunda , and Apophryotrocha mutabiliseta , all from the deep North Pacific. A key to the genera is provided, as are listings of all the known species within each genus.     

Notes on the Orchid Flora in the Hengduan Mountain Region,China

The Hengduan Mountain Region on the south-eastern fringe of the Qinghai- Xizang (Tibet) Plateau is located in W. Sichuan, N. W. Yunnan and E. Xizang, with a wide area of juxtaposition from the east to the west, the mountains extending and the rivers flowing from the north to the south. In this paper it covers an area from Daojie, Wayao, Yingping, Yangbi, Dali of Yunnan and Dukou of Sichuan in the south, to Banbar, Dengqeu, Shenda of Tibet and Serxu, Dainkog, Shuajingsi and Nanping (Jiuzhaigou) of Sichuan in the north, and from Lharong, Baxoi and Zayü of Tibet in the west, to Maowen, Wenchuan, Mt. Erlang, Mt. Emei and Xichang of Sichuan in the east (Fig. 1.). The Gongga Mountain is the highest in the region, its summit being at an altitude of 7556m, whereas the Dadu River Valley in the eastern part of the area is only 1150 m above sea level. Therefore, the relative height is about 6400 m in the region. The Hengduan Mountain Region is well-known for its various topography, complex natural conditions and rich flora. The floristic composition and features of orchids in Hengduan Mountain Region. 1. The species of orchids are abundant in the region. As we know so far, orchids in the Hengduan Mountain Region comprise 91 genera and 363 species with 9 varieties, and thus it is one of concentration centres of orchids in China, making up 56.17% of the total number of orchids genera in China, only less than in Yunnan and Taiwan, and 34.87% of the total number of orchids species in China, only less than in Yunnan and Sichuan. 2. The orchids genera in the Hengduan Mountain Region are complex in geographical components as indicated below: (1) Four geneva are endemic to China and one of them is endemic to the region. (2) Fourteen genera are of the north temperate distribution pattern, 2 of the Old World temperate one, 18 of the East-Asian one (including Sino-Himalayan and Sino-Japanese) and 3 of the East-Asian-North American one. (3) Twenty one genera belong to the tropical Asian distribution pattern, 3 to the tropical Asian-tropical African one, 13 to the tropical Asian-tropical Australian one, 1 to the tropical Asian-tropical South American one, 8 to the Old World tropical one and 2 to the pantropical one. (4) Two genera are cosmopolitan. The analysis of genera: Fourty eight genera (containing 151 species with 4 varieties) of the tropical distribution occur in the region, among which Calanthe and Cymbidium distributed in the temperate region, and Bulbophyllum and Peristylus in the subtropical part of China are comparatively abundant (with over 10 species), but the other 25 genera are monospecific and 11 genera each contain only 2-3 species. Some epiphytic genera mainly distributed in tropical Asia and belonging to tropical florestic elements, such as Vanda, Luisia, Schoenorchis, Flickingeria, Monomeria, Kingidium, Acampe, Phalaenopsis, Thrixspermum, Eria, Taeniophyllum, and terrestrial genera, such as Aphyllorchis, Collabium, Mischobulbum, Paphiopedilum, Thunia, Brachycarythis, Satyrium, Corybas, Geodorum, Zeuxine, Tropidia, have the Hengduan Mountain Region as the northern limit of distribution. Of 151 species with 4 varieties, 41 species with 4 varieties are endemic to China, and 14 species with 3 varieties of them are endemic to the area, making up 3.86% of the total in the region under discussion. There are 41 genera (containing 189 species with 5 varieties) of the temperate distribution, which occur in the region. Among them Platanthera (22 species with 1 variety), Cypripedium (17 species), Herminium (16 species), Amitostigma (15 species with 1 variety), Orchis (12 species), Hemipilia (8 species with 1 variety), Neottianthe (4 species), Gymnadenia (4 species), Diphylax (3 species), Bletilla (3 species), have the Hengduan Mountain Region as the distribution centre and differentiation centre. Among the 189 species with 5 varieties, 111 species with 5 varieties are endemic to China, and 54 species with 5 varieties are endemic to the area, making up 14.88% of the total of orchids in the Hengduan Mountain Region. Although the number of temperate distribution genera is smaller than that of tropical distribution ones, several points may be mentioned: (1) The Hengduan Mountain Region is distribution centre and differentiation centre of a number of temperate genera in China, and is the northern limit of many genera mainly distributed in the tropics. (2) The number in the former category is obviously larger than that in the latter. (3) Endemic species in the former category in the area are over three times as many as those in the latter. The differentiation of species of the temperate distribution genera is obviously stronger than the tropical ones, which characterizes the orchid flora in the area as the temperate one. The life forms of genera. The orchid flora in the Hengduan Mountain Region so far known comprises 91 genera, among which 51 are terrestrial, 32 epiphytic and 8 saprophytic, thus with the terrestrial one dominant. The analysis of species: The orchid flora in the Hengduan Mountain Region so far known comprises 363 species with 9 varieties. Their distribution patterns and floristic components, to which they belong, are indicated as follows: (1) Fifty four species, belonging to 33 genera, are widespread, covering the whole East Asian Region, but 6 of them are endemic to China. (2) Forty four species, belonging to 27 genera, are the elements of the Sino-Japanese Subregion, but 22 species of them are endemic to China. (3) One hundred and ninety five species with nine varieties, belonging to 53 genera, are the elements of the Sino-Himalayan Subregion under discussion: (A) Four species (i.e. Aphyllorchis alpine, Listera divaricata, L. pinetorum and Oreorchis micrantha) are distributed in the Himalayan Region and S. E. Xizang (Tibet), western part of this region. (B) Twenty five species, belonging to 17 genera, are distributed in N. W. Yunnan and the Himalayan Region (Appendix, 1.). (C) Sixteen species, belonging to 11 genera, are distributed in the Himalayan region and W. Sichuan. Among them 6 species occur only with Mt. Emei as the easternmost limit and 10 species occur in the region west of Mt. Emei. (D) Ten species, belonging to 9 genera, are distributed in the Himalayan region, this region and S. Shaanxi, S. Gansu or S. E. Qinghai. (E) Eight species, belonging to 6 genera, are distributed in the Himalayan region and this region. Among them 6 species have their range extending eastwards to Guizhou and 2 species eastwards to Guangxi. (F) Five species, belonging to 5 genera, having their range extending from this region southwards to N. Burma. (G) One handred and twenty seven species with nine varieties are endemic to China behind discussion. (4) (A) Three species (i.e. Anoectochilus moulmeinensis, Bulbophyllum forrestii and Liparis chapaensis) are distributed in Indo-China, Burma and the region. (B) Nine species, belonging to 7 genera, are distributed in Indo-China, N. E. India and this region. (C) Forty six species, belonging to 21 genera, are distributed in Indo-China, the Himalayan Region and this region (Appendix, 2.). (D) Twelve species, belonging to 11 genera, are distributed in Indo-China and this region (Appendix, 3.) 3. The vicarism is obvious in the orchid flora of the Hengduan Mountain Region. There are 10 species-pairs (in genera Calanthe, Tropidia, Anoectochilus, Mischobulbum, Bulbophyllum, Gymnadenia, Pogonia, Tipularia, Tulotis, Orchis, etc.) of the horizontal vicarism and 7 species-pairs (in genera Epigeneium, Epipogium, Platanthera, Pogonia, etc.) of the vertical vicarism in the region. 4. The endemic species are prolific in the region. In the orchid flora of the Hengduan Mountain Region there are 155 species and 9 varieties endemic to China: (1) Six species are widespread in the whole East-Asian Region. (2) Twenty two species are the elements of the Sino-Japanese Subregion. (3) One hundred and twenty seven species with nine varieties are the elements of the Sino-Himalayan Subregion. Among them 69 species with 5 varieties are endemic to the region (Appendix, 4.), making up 19% of the total in the region; other 58 species with 4 varieties are distributed in the region and neighbouring regions or provinces of it (Appendix, 5.). 5. Remarkable differentiation of the orchid flora in the Hengduan Mountain Region is shown by evident vicarism and abundance of endemic elements, exampled by Amitostigma, Herminium, Orchis, Cypripedium, Platanthera, etc. and one group of Platanthera, which is confined to the south fringe of the Xizang (Tibet) Plateau-Hengduan Mountain Region. The group consists of 12 species, of which one (P. edgeworthii) is distributed in the Western Himalayas from Hazara in Pakistan to Kumaun in India, and all the other 11 species (i.e.P. stenantha, P. bakeriana, P. roseotincta, P. deflexilabella, P. longiglandula, P. exilliana, P. chiloglossa, P. leptocaulon, P. platantheroides, P. clavigera and P. latilabris) occur in China, with 3 of them (i.e.P. deflexilabella, P. longiglandula and P. chiloglossa) endemic to China. According to their structure of gynostemum and form of labellum they belong to Platanthera without question, although they are different from the other members of Platanthera in stigma convex (not concave) and sepals mammillary-ciliate, stigma exhibits a series of evolutionary trends in part of species, from stigma single, convex, elliptic and located near rear of spur mouth (in P. stenantha) to stigma single, suddle, and located near front of spur mouth (in P. bakeriana) and to stigma double, separate and located at front of spur mouth in the other ten species. The group in Platanthera is only confined to the area from the south fringe of the Xizang (Tibet) Plateau to the Hengduan Mountain Region. It seems that the genus has been affected by intense lift of the area, causing variation and differentiation and giving rise to the group due to the long-term natural selection. Mt. Emei in Sichuan Province is the eastern limit of distribution of the group, where there are three spcies, among which two (P. deflexilabella and P. longiglandula) are endemic to the mountains. In addition, among Risleya (1 species), Diphylax (3 species) and Diplomeris (2 species), three genera typical of distribution in the Sino-Himalayan Subregion, Risleya and Diphylax have Mt. Emei as their eastern limit. Eleven species, belonging to elements of the SinoJapanese Subregion, occur only from Japan to Western Sichuan with Mt. Emei as the western limit. Among nine species, belonging to elements of the Sino-Himalayan Subregion, six occur from the Himalayas to W. Sichuan and three of them are endemic to the Hengduan Mountain Region, with Mt. Emei as their eastern limit of distribution. There are eight endemic species and one variety of orchids in Mt. Emei, making up about 11.59% of the total endemic species in the Hengduan Mountain Region. Orchid floristic elements in Mt. Emei are obviously different from those in Mt. Jinfo, the former being mainly of the Sino-Himalayan Subregion, while the latter being mainly of the Sino-Japanese Subregion. From the distribution patterns of the orchid floristic elements in the Hengduan Mountain Region and Eastern China, the Emei Mountain is considered important for drawing a boundary line between the Sino-Japanese Subregion and the Sino-Himalayan Subregion. The discussion may be summarized as follows: the floristic features of the orchid flora in the Hengduan Mountain Region are: (1) rich in species, complex in geographical components, eminent vicarism and differentiation, and prolific in endemic species; (2) terrestrial life form is dominant one; (3) mainly consisting of temperate and subtropical East-Asian elements, es pecially, elements of Sino-Himalayan Subregion, though with some tropical elements and elem-ents of other regions.     

Critical and Additional Notes on Orchids of Hainan,China

The orchids in Hainan．were reported containing 58 genera,143 species and two varieties in Flora Hainanica(1977)．Since then a number of papers have been published and many specimens collected．The present paper deals with new,little known or noteworthy orchids in Hainan,concerning 36 genera,57 species and one variety,of which two (Bulbophyllum obtusiangulum Tsi,Sunipia hainanensis Tsi) are new to science and 18 new to Hainan,In addition,one new name(Ceratostylis hainanensis Tsi) is proposed and five names are reduced to synonyms．So far,there are altogether 68 genera,178 species and three varieties of orchids known from Hainan Island．     

Comparative anatomy of conifer leaves

The epidermis and internal structure of 103 species and 8 varieties of conifer leaves belonging to 37 genera of 7 families have been comparatively investigated. The anatomical characters of leaves of all the genera (or sections) studied are described systematically and a key to the genera (or sections) is also presented. It is shown that in order to identify at the genus level, the leaf types of LaubenFels’ may be used as the primary characterization. And it can also be seen that the following characters which are relatively constant at the genus level provide an important basis for identification: the epidermal structure, the presence or absence of hypodermis, the degree of differentiation of mesophyll, the occurrence of vascular bundle sheath or endodermis, the transfusion tissue type, the number and relative spatial position of vascular bundles, the number and distribution of resin canal and the presence of sclereid or sclerenchyma. The genera of Cupressaceae (except for Juniperus and Sabina) are of scale leaves (Leaf type-III) with little differences in structural characters. It’s difficult to distinguish them from each other. In addition, some problems concerning the significance of the resin canal, the endodermis with Casparian-strip, the sclerenchyma and the vascular bundle in identificationare here also discussed.     

云南哀牢山地区森林附生维管植物多样性及区系特征

附生植物作为山地森林生态系统中重要的结构性成分,在维持森林生态系统生物多样性格局、水分和养分循环等方面发挥着重要作用。本文通过野外调查、标本查阅并结合相关文献,对云南哀牢山地区附生维管植物物种组成及分布进行了系统研究。结果显示,哀牢山地区附生维管植物共有23科83属218种,其中附生蕨类和兰科植物最丰富。附生蕨类有34属93种,以附生-石生蕨类生活型占优势,其中水龙骨科17属62种,占附生蕨类的66.67%,瓦韦属(Lepisorus)和石韦属(Pyrrosia)分别有13种和10种。附生兰科植物有26属65种,其中石斛属(Dendrobium)和石豆兰属(Bulbophyllum)分别有12种和8种。该地区附生维管植物属的分布具有明显的热带性质并以热带亚洲分布居多。附生植物生长于生境因子变化剧烈、资源有限的林冠,对环境变化敏感,极易遭受破坏且破坏后难以恢复,不少附生植物具有很高的药用、观赏等价值。因此,应加强对附生维管植物这一特殊类群的保护。     

THE VALIDITY OF SOME GENERA OF LARKS (ALAUDIDAE)

The larks (Alaudidae) tend to be taxonomically arranged in a large number of small genera. There appear to be few characters which will separate the genera Alauda, Galerida and Lullula, and in recent times additional species have been placed in the first two genera without a reappraisal of the characters by which each genus is defined. Ten species are involved and originally these belonged to eight different genera. In this group of ten species of eight genera as at present, six morphological generic characters are examined separately: the length of the tenth primary in relation to the roundness of the wing, the length of the hind claw, the profile of the crest, the conspicuousness of the superciliary stripe, the thickness and taper of the bill, and the length of tertiaries and secondaries. All ten species show these characters, and the variation in any single character is fairly evenly graded through the group without marked discontinuity. The succession of species within the gradation varies from one character to another. It is not possible to find any group of characters which will subdivide the group of species. Little is known of the behaviour of the ten species but examination of song-flight suggests that such characters may also show a gradation without obvious subdivision. It is considered that the present data do not justify the retention of the present genera for these species, and that it would be preferable to group them under the earliest generic name, Alauda. The characters defining the Alauda group are listed and the relation of Chersophilus duponti to the group is discussed.     

Phylogenetic relationships in the Marcetia alliance (Melastomeae,Melastomataceae) and implications for generic circumscription

The Marcetia alliance of Melastomataceae is an exclusively Neotropical group that includes at least 12 genera of mostly herbs and subshrubs, occurring in the cerrado of central Brazil and savannas of the Amazon region and Guayana highlands. This study aimed to test the monophyly of genera in the Marcetia alliance, evaluate their phylogenetic relationships and generic boundaries, and investigate morphological characters as potential synapomorphies for delimiting clades or genera. We used nuclear (ITS, ETS) and plastid (accD‐psaI, atpH‐atpF, trnS‐trnG) DNA sequences of 107 terminals in 12 genera from the alliance. Aciotis, Fritzschia, Marcetia and Siphanthera were shown to be monophyletic and supported by molecular and morphological characters. Other genera with variable morphology and wider distributions, such as Acisanthera, Comolia, Ernestia and Macairea, were recovered as paraphyletic or polyphyletic. Most morphological characters analysed were found to be homoplastic, but when combined they are potentially useful for the diagnosis of genera and infrageneric groups. This study represents a major step in understanding internal relationships and provides the basis for a revision of the generic classification in the Marcetia alliance.     

PTEROCARYOID FRUITS (JUGLANDACEAE) IN THE PALEOGENE OF NORTH AMERICA AND THEIR EVOLUTIONARY AND BIOGEOGRAPHIC SIGNIFICANCE

The Juglandaceae (walnut family) has an excellent fossil record of various organs extending back to the earliest Tertiary. Several genera which today are restricted to isolated geographic regions were widespread in the Northern Hemisphere during the Tertiary. This paper focuses upon the fossil record of the Pterocarya alliance of the subfamily Juglandoideae, tribe Juglandeae. The Pterocarya alliance includes only two modern genera, Pterocarya (five species) and Cyclocarya (one species), both restricted to Eurasia. Paleogene sediments of the Rocky Mountain Region have yielded three genera and four species referable to the Pterocarya alliance: Cyclocarya (two species), Pterocarya, and a new genus, Polyptera. Although three of the four Paleogene species described here are attributed to present day genera, each represents an extinct form, which cannot be accommodated by any single living species. These fossils, reviewed with other published reports, indicate that the Pterocarya alliance, like the Engelhardia alliance of the same family, was more diverse and much more widespread geographically in the Tertiary than it is today.     

A new phylogenetic classification for the gymnophthalmid genera Cercosaura , Pantodactylus and Prionodactylus (Reptilia: Squamata)

Because of the poor state of knowledge of many of the gymnophthalmid genera, systematic revision is necessary to render the classification consistent with evolutionary history. To that end, I conducted a review of the species of three genera of the Cercosaurinae which appear to form a monophyletic group: Cercosaura , Pantodactylus , and Prionodactylus . Phylogenetic analysis of 61 morphological characters was conducted after specimens of all species were examined to evaluate the composition of each taxon. The phylogenetic reconstruction suggested that the genus Prionodactylus was paraphyletic. A new phylogenetic classification is proposed that synonymizes Pantodactylus and Prionodactylus with Cercosaura. Cercosaura is redefined to include 11 species and seven subspecies. A key is provided to distinguish among species.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 137 , 101−115.     

The gynostemium of Bulbophyllum ecornutum (J. J. Smith) J. J. Smith (Orchidaceae)

RASMUSSEN, F. N., 1985. The gynostemium of Bulbophyllum ecornutum (J. J. Smith) J.J. Smith (Orchidaceae) . Stages in the development of the gynostemium of Bulbophyllum ecornutum demonstrate that the pollinium stalk is a hamulus in this and in a closely related species, B. gibbolabium . A hamulus arises by apical growth and reflexion of the median carpel. Hamuli have recently been discovered in several orchid genera, and a transverse fold of the rostellar apex is already known from a large group of orchids. The closely related B. cornutum has a quite different gynostemium structure.     

Leaf Venation and Its Systematic Significance in Sapindaceae of China

Leaf venation of 27 species representing 25 genera of Sapindaceae (sstr.) of China was investigated for the first time. The pinnate venation pattern in most species is either camptodromous, or craspedodromous. Three types of leaf blade margin were observed, ie., entire, toothed and partite. The secondary veins are branched or unbranched. Most species have intersecondary veins. The tertiary veins of most species are reticulate and percurrent. The areoles are regular or irregular. Veinlets are simple, branched or absent. The delimitations of Xanthoceroideae and Lepisanthes sensu lato are supported by leaf venation characters. The close relationships among Dimocarpus, Litchi and Nephelium are supported by the evidence from leaf venation. A key to the species of Sapinaceae based on leaf venation characters is presented.