Correllia (Compositae: Peritylinae) : A new monotypic genus from southern Chihuahua,Mexico

A new genus,Correllia, and its single species,C. montana, are described from Sierra Mohinora in southwestern Chihuahua, Mexico. The genus belongs in subtribe Peritylinae (Compositae tribe Helenieae) and appears to be most closely related toPerityle.     

Bertilia — A new monotypic genus in the Senecioneae (Asteraceae) from South Africa

The unusual disjunct distribution of the yellow-flowered, radiate, Northern Cape endemic Emilia hantamensis J.C.Manning & Goldblatt, relative to the other Emilia species in southern Africa, prompted investigation into its phylogenetic position and relationships. Phylogenies based on the ITS and trnL–trnF regions reveal that it is not a member of the genus Emilia but belongs in a well-supported clade with Bolandia, a genus comprising five species mainly from the Western and Northern Cape, and the monotypic genera Stilpnogyne and Mesogramma. It is placed sister to Bolandia and its cypselas match those of Bolandia in shape, colour and indumentum, except for a distinct ridge of hairs on the inner rib of the ray cypselas. It is further distinguished from Bolandia by its annual habit and conical disc floret style apices and obtuse to rounded ray floret style apices. It is recognised and described here as a new monotypic genus, Bertilia Cron with the single species B. hantamensis (J.C.Manning & Goldblatt) Cron.     

Aschistanthera, a monotypic new genus for Vietnam (Melastomataceae)

The new genus Aschistanthera and its only species, Aschistanthera cristanthera , are described. Characteristics additional to the diagnosis are emphasized and parts of flowers and fruits and its distribution are illustrated.     

Triuridopsis,a new monotypic genus inTriuridaceae

The new monotypic genusTriuridopsis from Peru is described. A key to the genera ofTriuridaceae worldwide is given.     

Metastevia (Compositae: Eupatorieae): A new genus from Mexico

A new genus and species from Mexico,Metastevia hintonii, is described. The genus, considered to be closely related to and derived fromStevia, differs in seven morphological features from all known species ofStevia. The reasons for recognizing the new genus are discussed in detail.     

Caucasalia, a new genus of theAsteraceae, Senecioneae

The new genusCaucasalia is described. Four species are included, previously referred toSenecio, Cacalia, Cineraria, Pojarkovia orAdenostyles. The latter genus may be the closest relative, being similar in habit and chromosome number, but different in floret colour and style morphology. The new genus is centered in the Caucasus mountains, with extensions into Anatolia.Dedicated to emer. Univ.-Prof. DrFriedrich Ehrendorfer on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Ramosmania, a new monotypic genus of Mascarene Rubiaceae

A new rubiaceous genus Ramosmania from Rodrigues, Mauritius, is described and illustrated. A new combination R. heterophylla (Balf. f.) Tirvengadum & Verdcourt is made. The taxon believed to be extinct has been refound.     

Genetic variation in Femeniasia (Compositae, Cardueae), an endemic and endangered monotypic genus from the Balearic Islands (Spain)

Femeniasia balearica is the only representative of its genus and is endemic to a small area on the northern coast of Minorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). The entire range of the species covers only 18 km of coastline. It is extremely rare and classified as endangered in the National Catalogue of Threatened Species and as a priority species in the EU Habitats Directive. We carried out a census of current population size and estimated genetic diversity based on AFLP markers to facilitate conservation of this unique species. In the 66 individuals analysed (∼10% of population), 225 bands were scored and the level of diversity was relatively high. Three divergent population groups corresponding to geographical areas (Western, Central and Eastern) were identified. In AMOVA and Bayesian analyses, most of the diversity was found within populations but there was strong differentiation between the three population groups. Genetic and geographical distances between the populations were strongly correlated. Our results show that the populations of F. balearica are not genetically depauperate, in spite of their small sizes. Unexpectedly, our results suggest that as many as three MUs (management units) should be recognized in this very small area, because the low levels of gene flow among them indicate contemporary demographic independence.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 97–107.     

The Hybrid Origin of Emilia praetermissa (Senecioneae: Compositae)

Interspecific hybrids were obtained between Emilia coccinea(n = 5) and E. sonchifolia (n = 5). Except for quantitativecharacters such as plant size, head size, and leaf size, thediploid hybrid was similar to E. praetermissa (n = 10). Artificial polyploidization of the diploid hybrid resulted inan allotetraploid which is morphologically indistinguishablefrom E. praetermissa. The artificial tetraploid hybrid and E.praetermissa are also similar with respect to their karyotypesand their meiotic behaviours. Morphological and cytogenetic evidence suggest that E. praetermissaoriginated from a plant which is of hybrid origin and whichis similar to the synthetic tetraploid.     

Astragalus sect. Semnanenses (Fabaceae): a new monotypic section from Iran

The systematic position of Astragalus semnanensis is studied. Morphological and micromorphological features of this species are not in accordance with the old position of this species as a member of A. sect. Leucocercis. Within A. subgen. Astragalus this species is intermediate between A. sect. Acanthophace and A. sect. Megalocystis , but it shows critical differences from them. Therefore, a new section, A. sect. Semnanenses is described.     

The monotypic genus Cyphotheca (Melastomataceae)

Cyphotheca (Sonerileae s.l.), known only from China (Yunnan), is accepted as a monotypic genus most closely related to Phyllagalhis . The new name P. fengii C . Hansen is proposed for C. hispida , because the epithet hispida is not available in the genus Phyllagathis .     

A new monotypic genus of a parmulariaceous dictyosporous ascomycetes from Taiwan

A new monotypic ascomycete genus, Dictyocyclns gen. nov. with D. hydrangeae sp. nov. as its type, is described and illustrated. It is placed in the family Parmulariaceae and it is the second genus in that family with dictyoseptate ascospores. It is compared with Aldonata the only other member of the family with similar ascospores.     

Stephanbeckia plumosa (Liabeae: Compositae): A new genus and species from southern Bolivia

Material from southern Bolivia, recently collected by Stephan Beck, is described as a new genus and species, Stephanbeckia plumosa (Compositae: Liabeae). Both morphological and molecular data place the genus in the broadly interpreted subtribe Paranepheliinae, but clearly distinct from other members. It differs morphologically by its small size, deciduous plumose pappus, lack of paleae, and compressed bicostate achenes. A key to the genera of the Liabeae is provided.     

Anthessius spp. (Anthessiidae) associated with Tridacnidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia) removed to a new genus Tridachnophilus

Genus Anthessius includes 36 species. Previous attempts to clarify the interspecific affinities reached no definite conclusions. Humes and Ho (1965) found that, based on the armature of the third exopod segment of the fourth leg, the known species could be arranged into two groups, but that this difference did not correspond with host preferences. The present study of A. alatus Humes and Stock shows that species of Anthessius associated with Tridacnidae differ from the rest (except A. fitchi Illg) in the marked indentation of the cephalosome and in the presence of well developed cephalosomal and metasomal epimeral lobes producing a very characteristic shape. They are here removed to a new genus, Tridachnophilus.     

Development of the echinate pollen wall inFarfugium japonicum (Compositae: Senecioneae)

Development of the echinate pollen grains inFarfugium (Compositae: Senecioneae) has been studied by a combination of transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy with a freeze fractured method. The inner surface of the callose wall surrounding each microspore does not possess an echinate pattern before primexine deposition begins. The primexine formation coincides with the initiation of spines. The freeze fractured primexine shows probacula which form transverse rods. The developing exine has an inner spongy substructure. The endexine is formed by the accumulation of the electron dense lamellae with white lines after the dissolution of the callose wall. In the present study, it is confirmed that the developmental process of pollen formation revealed in the field emission scanning electron microscope is consistent with the results obtained using the transmission electron microscope.