High Mitochondrial DNA Diversity with Little Structure Within and Among Leaf Monkey Populations (Trachypithecus cristatus and Trachypithecus auratus)

We used analyses of mitochondrial DNA restriction site polymorphisms to estimate population genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships among 42 individuals from two Asian leaf monkey species (Trachypithecus auratus and T. cristatus) and to compare them to the geographically proximate species, Presbytis comata. We amplified a 2300-base pair fragment spanning the mitochondrial NADH 3 and NADH 4 genes, including their tRNA flanking subunits, glycine and leucine, and digested it with a battery of 22 restriction endonucleases, yielding 21 unique multienzyme haplotypes and 60 variable restriction sites. Presbytis comata is clearly divergent from both Trachypithecus species. Within the Javan T. auratus, our analysis does not support the distinction of two subspecies currently recognized on the basis of morphological features (Weitzel and Groves, 1985). T. auratus and T. cristatus are not internally monophyletic with respect to each other in our phylogenetic analysis. These results indicate either a recent speciation event with the retention of ancestral polymorphisms or that the two taxa are not separate species. Therefore with respect to conserving genetic diversity within the leaf monkey, we would have to consider T. auratus and T. cristatus as essentially one large polymorphic, conservation unit. However, within that conservation unit, T. auratus of Java represent a separate management unit from T. auratus/T. cristatus of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia.     

Lithostratigraphic Context for Kln-1993.05-SNJ,a Fossil Colobine Maxilla from Jokotingkir,Sangiran Dome

Jablonski and Tyler (1999) announced a new subspecies of colobine monkey based on a fossil partial maxilla from the Sangiran dome. The specimen is easily assigned to a living leaf monkey species—most extant Southeast Asian catarrhines differ only subspecifically from their Middle Pleistocene earliest local fossil ancestors. Yet Jablonski and Tyler (1999) reported an improbable provenance for the specimen; a mass-flow volcanic breccia generally considered late Pliocene in age. We show that the Lower Lahar was laid down amidst a range of paludal habitats and that its deposition predates the appearance of all-but-now extinct, water-tolerant mammals on emergent Java. No other catarrhine fossil has been ascribed to the Lower Lahar, not even hominins, which are the most gregarious members of the group. More probable provenance lies in the upper Sangiran or the lower Bapang formations. Either alternative would associate the specimen with other catarrhine fossils in more tenable Pleistocene environments. We also unravel errors and inconsistencies in the contextual report and in the discussion of dome geochronology. The various radiometric, paleomagnetic, and paleontologic studies cited show a discordance of about 300 Ka (thousand years) across the lithostratigraphic sequence. Plio-Pleistocene biogeographic hypotheses for Java must work with short and long chronologies.     

Brief communication: a cranial morphometric assessment of the taxonomic affinities of Trachypithecus auratus (E. Geoffroy, 1812 primates: Colobinae) with a reassessment of the T. auratus type specimen

The debate over the taxonomic position and affinities of Trachypithecus auratus has been ongoing since its identification by E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire in 1812. The type specimen of this species is housed in Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris (MNHN-ZM 2005-912). This point is debated due to the complex and fluctuating taxonomy of Southeast Asian Colobinae (Brandon-Jones et al.: Int J Primatol 25 (2004) 97-164) and to the fact that this individual is represented by a mounted skeleton. By means of 3D medical imaging methodologies we describe for the first time the cranial anatomy of the specimen MNHN-ZM 2005-912 and compare it with other Trachypithecus species, in order to test the molecular systematic hypotheses for affinities among the T. auratus-T. cristatus group. We ascertain the taxonomic attribution of this individual to the species Trachypithecus auratus species. The most diagnostic characters shared by the type specimen and Trachypithecus auratus compared to other species of Trachypithecus are the rounded orbits and the straight facial profile. We then try to clarify the inconsistencies concerning the geographical provenance of the type. The island of Java appears to be the most probable locality from a cluster analysis based on linear morphometry. After this approach and a discriminant analysis, a northeastern Javanese provenance of this specimen, as proposed by Brandon-Jones et al. (Int J Primatol 25 (2004) 97-164) is dubious. Finally we provide 3D models of the skull and the endocast, and a list of cranial landmark coordinates of the holotype for future research.     

A Phylogeny of Chinese Leaf Monkeys Using Mitochondrial ND3-ND4 Gene Sequences

The phylogeny of Chinese leaf monkeys, especially the snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus), has not been thoroughly investigated using molecular sequence data, perhaps due to their rarity in the wild and their poor representation in institutional collections. Despite several proposed classifications, systematic relationships of these species remain poorly defined and this has hindered their conservation. To clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the leaf monkey clade in China, we sequenced the mitochondrial ND3, ND4L, ND4, tRNA ^Arg , tRNA ^His , tRNA ^Ser , and tRNA ^Leu genes for Rhinopithecus bieti, R. roxellana, Trachypithecus francoisi, T. f. leucocephalus, and T. phayrei as well as Pygathrix nemaeus and Colobus guereza. We included a total of 2252 characters for each individual, excluding gaps in primary sequences. Our interpretation of the results from character-and distance-based phylogenetic analyses suggest that (1) Pygathrix nemaeus is sister to Rhinopithecus rather than to Trachypithecus though it is quite divergent from the former; (2) the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, Rhinopithecus bieti, represents a valid species; (3) the white-headed leaf monkey is not a distinct species, but instead is a subspecies of Trachypithecus francoisi (T. f. leucocephalus), though it should still be considered a separate evolutionary significant unit (ESU); and (4) because two individuals of the Phayrei's leaf monkey, T. phayrei, are genetically distinct from one another, a more extensive revision of the taxonomy of this putative species in China is needed. These results, plus ongoing work on the molecular systematics of the entire Asian leaf monkey radiation, can provide a sound basis for identifying the appropriate units of conservation for this endangered group of primates.     

Alchemilla austriaca,spec. nova,(Rosaceae) — eine neue Art aus den Ostalpen

Alchemilla austriaca is a new species which belongs to the group ofA. demissa, A. frigens, A. longana, A. longiuscula, A. semisecta, andA. sinuata. The holotype specimen as well as leaf and flower details are illustrated (Figs. 1–3). A complete character analysis is given, differences and similarities of allied species are presented in two tables, and the position of the group within the genus is discussed.A. austriaca so far is known only from the Austrian Alps and mainly from the central ranges (distribution map: Fig. 4). Its wet subalpine and alpine habitats are characterized by species lists.

     

Synopsis of the tribe Bocageeae (Annonaceae), with revisions of Cardiopetalum,Froesiodendron, Trigynaea,Bocagea, and Hornschuchia

The tribal name Bocageeae Endlicher is reestablished and the tribe is circumscribed on the basis of solitary internodal ebracteate pedicels that are articulated at the base, and pollen shed in polyads of eight or more grains. Septate anther locules, large pollen size, and seed appendages are prevalent in the tribe. Intectate pollen with free-standing columellae, rare in Annonaceae, occurs not only in the genusTrigynaea but also in some species ofBocagea andHornschuchia. As defined here, the Bocageeae include seven neotropical genera:Cymbopetalum, Porcelia, Bocagea, Cardiopetalum, Froesiodendron, Hornschuchia, andTrigynaea. The latter five genera are revised and the treatments include ten new species:Cardiopetalum plicatum, Froesiodendron urceocalyx, Hornschuchia lianarum, H. santosii, H. leptandra, Trigynaea cinnamomea, T. lanceipetala, T. triplinervis, T. lagaropoda, andT. axilliflora, all from tropical South America. A new combination,Froesiodendron longicuspe, changes the rank of that taxon from subspecies to species.Cardiopetalum surinamense is removed fromFroesiodendron and reassigned toCardiopetalum on the basis of its connate petals, dehiscent monocarps, and seeds with bilobed arils. A cladogram provides an explicit hypothesis of intergeneric relationships in the tribe. The new combinationOnychopetalum periquino, based onTrigynaea periquino, is made.     

A molecular genetic linkage map of mouse chromosome 18, includingspm,Grl-1, Fim-2/c-fms,andMbp

Restriction endonuclease fragment length variations (RFLV) were detected in mice with DNA probes for myelin basic protein (Mbp), glucocorticoid receptor-1 (Grl-1), and Friend MuLV integration site-2 (Fim-2). RFLV of theMbp gene were found inSacI restriction patterns, RFLV of theGrl-1 gene were found inEcoRV patterns, and RFLV of theFim-2 were found inBglII patterns. A three-point backcross was carried out by the backcross mating (C57BL/KsJ-spm/spm × MOL-MIT)F₁ males × C57BL/KsJ-spm/spm; spm is an autosomal recessive gene causing sphingomyelinosis. From the results,spm, Grl-1, Fim-2, andMbp loci were mapped on chromosome 18, and the following order of genes is proposed, with distances between genes in parentheses: centromere—spm—(7.8 cM)—Grl-1—(7.8 cM)—Fim-2—(39.1 cM)—Mbp—telomere. All laboratory strains and two European subspecies (Mus mus domesticus andM. m. brevirostris) carry theGrl-1 ^a ,Fim-2 ^a , andMbp ^a alleles. In contrast, another wild subspecies from Europe (M. m. musculus) and some Asian subspecies (M. m. molossinus, Chinese mice of wild origin, andM. m. yamashinai) carry theGrl-1 ^b ,Fim-2 ^b , andMbp ^b alleles. Onlycastaneus strains carry the intermediate combination of theGrl-1 ^b ,Fim-2 ^a , andMbp ^b alleles.     

Electrophoretic variation in esterases and peroxidases of native greek diploidAegilops species(Ae. caudata andAe. comosa,Poaceae)

The esterase and peroxidase patterns in five varieties ofAegilops caudata (genome type C) andAe. comosa (genome type M) were studied in order to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships within and between the two groups. The electrostarch gel electrophoresis technique was applied to extracts of shoot and root of 4-day-old seedlings, and the electropherograms were evaluated by gel densitometer traces. Inspite of considerable isozyme polymorphism, closer relationships in the banding patterns were found between different varieties of a single species than between varieties of the two different species. Esterase and peroxidase patterns of the twoAe. caudata varieties (caudata andpolyathera) are very similar and prove their close phylogenetic relationship. The isozyme affinities withinAe. comosa varieties are illustrated by the seriessubventricosa—biaristata—thessalica. The latter endemic variety has quite a number of characteristic bands and is relatively isolated. Altogether, the electrophoretic data agree well with morphological and cytological similarities (Zhukovsky 1928,Eig 1929,Karataglis 1973, 1975b).     

Mitochondrial phylogeny, taxonomy and biogeography of the silvered langur species group (Trachypithecus cristatus)

With a distribution ranging from mainland Southeast Asia to the Sunda region, the silvered langur species group is the most widely distributed species complex of the genus Trachypithecus. However, the systematic classification of its members and the phylogenetic relationships among them are less understood, leading to different classification schemes and proposed distribution zones. To address these issues, we sequenced a 573 bp long fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from 115 silvered langurs (68 individuals from known origin). According to our data, five monophyletic clades were detected, which refer to the five taxa auratus, cristatus, germaini, margarita and mauritius. The phylogenetic relationships among them are not well resolved, indicating a radiation-like splitting event, which was estimated to have occurred about 0.95-1.25 mya. Within T. cristatus, two major clades were detected, with one comprising specimens from Sumatra, Borneo and the Natuna archipelago, and the other solely individuals from the Malaysian peninsula. According to our findings, we propose to rank all five taxa as distinct species. While T. auratus, T. germaini, T. margarita and T. mauritius seem to be monotypic, T. cristatus should be split into two subspecies, with the Malaysian form being described as new form here. From a phylogeographic perspective, the species group most likely originated on Java. During the early Pleistocene, its range was expanded to the Malaysian peninsula and to the Southeast Asian mainland. Later on, the Malaysian form colonised further regions of the Sunda region, including Sumatra, Borneo and the Natuna archipelago.     

The nomenclature and taxonomy of the colobine monkeys of Java

The current terminology for the colobine monkeys of Java is incorrect. The appropriate term for the West Javan surili is Presbytis comataDesmarest,1822, and that for the Javan and Bali/Lombok lutung is Trachypithecus auratusE. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 1812.     

Fossil papio cranium from !Ncumtsa (Koanaka) Hills, western Ngamiland, Botswana

Three fossils, a cranium of Papio, a cercopithecid frontal bone, and a mandible of juvenile Papio, have been recovered from cave deposits in the !Ncumtsa (Koanaka) Hills of western Ngamiland, Botswana. These specimens are significant because well‐preserved crania of Papio are extremely rare in the fossil record outside of South Africa and because this is the first report of fossil primate cranial remains from Botswana. Thermoluminescence dating of surrounding cave matrix indicates an age of ≥317 ± 114 ka, within the Middle Pleistocene, although it may be older. Based on univariate and multivariate analyses, the adult !Ncumtsa specimen falls within the range of variation seen in extant forms of Papio, yet is distinct from any living species/subspecies and represents a new taxon, named here as a new subspecies of Papio hamadryas—Papio hamadryas botswanae. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Phylogeny of rheusus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) as revealed by mitochondrial DNA restriction enzyme analysis

Mitochondrial DNA, purified from 36 samples of 23 local populations which are widely distributed in Vietnam, Burma, and 10 provinces of China, has been analyzed to model the phylogeny of rhesus monkeys. The 20 local populations of China may represent nearly all major populations in China. Using 20 restriction endonucleases of 6-bp recognition, we observed a total of 50–61 sites in the various samples. By combining the cleavage patterns for each enzyme, the 36 samples were classified into 23 restriction types, each of which was found exclusively in the respective population from which samples were obtained. By combining the earlier study of Indian rheusus monkeys, phylogenetic trees, which have been constructed on the basis of genetic distance, indicate that rhesus monkeys in China, Vietnam, India, and Burma can be divided into seven groups. Integrating morphological and geographical data, we suggest that rhesus monkeys in China, Vietnam, and Burma may be classified into six subspecies—M. m. mulatta, M. m. brevicaudus, M. m. lasiotis, M. m. littoralis, M. m. vestita, and M. m. tcheliensis-and rhesus monkeys in India may be another valid subspecies.M. m. tcheliensis is the most endangered subspecies in China. Divergence among subspecies may have begun 0.9–1.6 Ma. The radiation of rhesus monkeys in China may have spread from the southwest toward the east. The taxonomic status of the Hainan monkey and the Taiwan monkey require further investigation.     

Phylogeny of the GenusTrichodermaBased on Sequence Analysis of the Internal Transcribed Spacer Region 1 of the rDNA Cluster

Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1) of the ribosomal DNA were used to determine the phylogenetic relationships of species ofTrichodermasect.Pachybasium.To this end, 85 strains—including all the availableex-type strains—were analyzed. Parsimony analysis demonstrated that the section is nonmonophyletic, distributing the 85 strains among three main groups that were supported by bootstrap values. Group A comprises two clades (A1 and A2), with A1 includingT. polysporum, T. piluliferum,andT. minutisporum,while A2 includedT. hamatum, T. pubescens,andT. strigosumin addition to species previously included in sect.Trichoderma(i.e.,T. viride, T. atroviride,andT. koningii). Theex-type strain ofT. fasciculatumformed a separate branch basal to clade A. Clade B contained the sect.PachybasiummembersT. harzianum, T. fertile, T. croceum, T. longipile, T. strictipile, T. tomentosum, T. oblongisporum, T. flavofuscum, T. spirale,and the anamorphs ofHypocrea semiorbisandH. cf. gelatinosa.Sequence differences among clades A1, A2, and B were in the same order of magnitude as between each of them andT. longibrachiatum,which was used as an outgroup in these analyses. Sequence differences within clades A1, A2, and B were considerably smaller: in some cases (i.e.,T. virensandT. flavofuscum; T. strictipileandH. cf. gelatinosa), the ITS1-sequences were identical, suggesting conspecifity. In other cases (e.g.,T. crassumandT. longipile; T. harzianum, T. inhamatum, T. croceum, T. fertile,andH. semiorbis; T. hamatumandT. pubescens;andT. viride, T. atroviride,andT. koningii) differences were in the range of 1–3 nt only, suggesting a very close phylogenetic relationship. The sequence of a previously described aggressive mushroom competitor group ofT. harzianumstrains (Th2) was strikingly different from that of theex-type strain ofT. harzianumand closely related species and is likely to be a separate species.     

Further studies of the sieve-element plastids of theCaryophyllales includingBarbeuia,Corrigiola, Lyallia,Microtea, Sarcobatus,andTelephium

The sieve-element plastids of 69 species of theCaryophyllales were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. All contained the specific subtype-P3 plastids characterized by a peripheral ring of protein filaments. The presence or absence of an additional central protein crystal and their shape being either polygonal or globular as well as the average sizes of the sieve-element plastids are useful features in the characterization of some families.—Barbeuia contains sieve-element plastids that confirm its placement within thePhytolaccaceae. Lyallia differs fromHectorella by including small starch grains in their sieve-element plastids, which otherwise by their globular crystals negate a closer connection to theCaryophyllaceae. The lack of a central protein crystal in its form-P3fs plastids placesMicrotea best within theChenopodiaceae. Sarcobatus, a so far uncontested member of theChenopodiaceae, contains form-P3cf plastids, i.e., including a central crystal not found elsewhere in this family.Telephium andCorrigiola, shifted back and forth betweenMolluginaceae andCaryophyllaceae, have form-P3cf(s) plastids with a polygonal crystal which favor their placement within theCaryophyllaceae.     

NeueSilene-Arten (Caryophyllaceae) aus dem Gebiet der Flora Iranica

15 new species are described: Sect.Sclerocalycinae:S. farsistanica, S. stapfii. — Sect.Spergulifoliae:S. paktiensis. — Sect.Auriculatae:S. caroli-henrici, S. daënensis, S. gertraudiae, S. nizvana, S. oligophylla, S. persepolitana, S. pseudaucheriana, S. pseudonurensis, S. renzii, S. salangensis, S. sojakii. — Sect.Brachypodae:S. rasvandica. — All the new species are from Iran with exception ofS. paktiensis andS. parvanica which are from Afghanistan.

Florae Iranicae praecursores 46–60. — Praecursores praecurrentes in Pl. Syst. Evol.142: 239–246 (1983).     

Zwergstrauchige Arten der FlechtengattungCaloplaca

The frutescent species of the lichen genusCaloplaca are usually united in sect.Thamnoma, but they do not form a natural group. They are derived from different species groups within sect.Gasparrinia from different parts of the world, presumable from species having scleroplectenchymes in cortex and medulla. The algal cells are concentrated between the scleroplectenchymatic strands in large and dense groups, from where medullary plectenchyme extends to the cortex and forms characteristic pseudocyphellae there.—Most of the species seem to be ornithocoprophilous; they grow on rocks along marine coasts where much fog is induced by cold currents.—Caloplaca cribrosa is endemic in Tasmania and New Zealand,C. regalis and the doubtfulC. ambitiosa belong to the antarctic element.C. fragillima from central Chile seems to be propagated by thallus fragments.C. coralloides andC. thamnodes are endemic to California and Baja California respectively.C. cladodes from the Rocky Mountains deviates in many characteristics from the other species i.a. by it different ontogenetic development, reduced spore septum, and cementing amyloid polysaccharides within the scleroplectenchymatic strands. The African species are characterized by their distinctly dorsiventral lobes and usually possess oil cells in some of the paraphyses.Caloplaca bonae-spei, C. fragillima andC. thamnodes are new to science.

     

Food selection by the silver leaf monkey,Trachypithecus auratus sondaicus,in relation to plant chemistry

Summary Samples of leaves and fruits exploited as food items byTrachypithecus auratus sondaicus were analysed for nitrogen content, acid detergent fibre (ADF), pepsin cellulase digestibility (CDIG), condensed tannins (CT), total phenolics (TP) and protein precipitation capacity (PP) and compared with fruits and leaves not eaten. Differences in chemical measures for items eaten and not eaten were not statistically significant but trends indicate that leaves may have been selected for their lower fibre content and greater digestibility. Fruits eaten also had a higher mean level of CDIG and lower mean level of ADF than fruits not eaten but these measures are not considered to be of major importance in fruit selection as CDIG was lower and ADF higher in fruits eaten than in leaves eaten. Levels of CT, TP and PP capacity were higher in fruits eaten than in fruits not eaten but lower in leaves eaten than in leaves not eaten. The role of tannins and phenolics in food selection is discussed. Leaves (and fruits) were not strongly selected on the basis of protein content. Approximately half the dietary intake ofT. auratus sondaicus was leaves, a protein-rich food source. Possibly, protein levels in foliage at Pangandaran were sufficient that selection for this nutrient was not required. A nutrient other than protein (for example, soluble carbohydrates) may have been maximised through food selection. The protein/ADF ratio may provide an indicator of the acceptability of foliage in a habitat as potential food for a colobine. However, this ratio did not govern food selection byT. auratus sondaicus at Pangandaran.     

Omphalotaceae fam. nov. undPaxillaceae,ein chemotaxonomischer Vergleich zweier Pilzfamilien derBoletales

TheOmphalotaceae fam. nov., which include the generaOmphalotus andLampteromyces, are defined on the basis of characteristic sesquiterpenes and of their ability to cause white-rot. Anatomical and morphological features of the representatives of these genera support the creation of this new family. The occurrence of pigments, typical of theBoletales, and of cyanophilous spores, indicate membership of theOmphalotaceae in the orderBoletales. Relationships to the other families of this order — especially to thePaxillaceae — are discussed. The possible functional significance of fungal metabolites is considered.

Herrn Prof. Dr.J. Poelt zur Vollendung seines 60. Lebensjahres gewidmet.—Veränderte Fassung eines Vortrages auf der Tagung der Deutschen Botanischen Gesellschaft, Wien, September 1984.     

A new combination in Matelea (Asclepiadaceae) and lectotypification of M. parvifolia

Vegetative similarities as well as a syntype specimen with discordant elements have evidently misled botanists to equateLachnostoma hastatulum withGonolobus parvifolius. Both species are considered representatives of a broadly interpreted genusMatelea, subgenusChthamalia. A new combination,M. hastatula, is proposed, andG. parvifolius is lectotypified.     

Dimorphic exine sculpturing in two distylous species ofDyerophytum (Plumbaginaceae)

Light and SEM observations on the pollen ofDyerophytum africanum andD. indicum have revealed marked differences in exine features. These distylous species also have dimorphic pollen. In the short-styled individuals of both species, the sexine and nexine are of equal thickness, and the clava-like sexinous processes are short without marked projections. In the long-styled individuals, the sexine is thicker than the nexine, the clavae are higher than broad with an apical spinule. Pollen size and apertures are identical in both morphs. — Palynological evidence is presented for relationships betweenDyerophytum andCeratostigma, Plumbago andAegialitis. Moreover, the genusDyerophytum exhibits pollen morphological similarities with some species ofLinum (Linaceae).