A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF BIARUM

Summary.  This paper contains a revision of the genus Biarum Schott. 21 species and 6 subspecies are recognised. All the taxa (except B. mendax Boyce) are illustrated by line drawings, and most of them are shown as paintings or as photographs in habitat or in cultivation. Distribution maps of all the species are given and a key to all taxa is provided.     

Comparative demography of two co‐occurring Linum species with different distribution patterns

Understanding similarities and differences in population dynamics of closely related species is a key prerequisite in attempts to apply knowledge obtained in one species to another species, e.g., for the purpose of predicting future fate of populations of various rare species. It can be expected that species will have similar population dynamics if they are closely related and share similar habitats. Contrasting population sizes and distribution patterns may, however, indicate that the population dynamics will be different. To understand similarities and differences in population dynamics of closely related species, I studied demography of two congeneric endangered species, Linum flavum and L. tenuifolium co‐occurring in dry grasslands. Linum flavum occurs with a lower number of large populations, while L. tenuifolium occurs as a large number of small populations. The results showed that L. flavum had higher population growth rates, relied more on survival and growth and its populations were more persistent. In contrast, populations of L. tenuifolium were more prone to extinction and frequent recolonisation was necessary for their survival in the landscape. This was in accordance with observed population sizes of the two species and their frequency in the landscape. The results indicate that despite being closely related and occurring in the same habitat types, the two Linum species have different growth strategies. The strong differences in population dynamics between the two species suggest that similarity in population sizes and frequency of the species in the landscape may be more important when attempting to transfer knowledge between species than is taxonomic relatedness.     

First Detection of Root Rot and Foliar Blight on Pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium) Caused by Pythium irregulare in Italy

During 2013, a new root rot and leaf blight was detected on potted Pittosporum tenuifolium cv. ‘Silver Queen’ plants in a nursery located in the Catania province (eastern Sicily, Italy). On the basis of morphological and cultural features as well as internal transcribed spacer sequence data, the causal agent was identified as Pythium irregulare. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by pathogenicity tests carried out on potted P. tenuifolium cv. ‘Silver Queen’ plants. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of P. irregulare root rot and foliar blight disease on P. tenuifolium in Europe, and it is the first detection using molecular methods for this oomycete pathogen in Italy.     

Asplenium cornutissimum (Aspleniaceae), a new species from karst caves in Guangxi, China

Asplenium cornutissimum, a new species from Guangxi, southern China, is described, illustrated, and compared to three similar species: A. pulcherrimum, A. coenobiale, and A. tenuifolium. So far, the new species is known only from the limestone region in southern Guangxi, from 750–825 m. It grows exclusively in karst caves.     

Two new species of Gelidium (Rhodophyta, Gelidiales), Gelidium tenuifolium and Gelidium koshikianum, from Japan

Two new marine red algae, Gelidium tenuifolium sp. nov. and Gelidium koshikianum sp. nov. (Gelidiales, Gelidiaceae) are described from Japan. Gelidium tenuifolium with large‐sized thalli (up to 30 cm tall) is distinguished from other species with such thalIi by the production of wide, flattened and thin branches (up to 2 mm wide and 60–80 urn thick), the presence of an apical depression and simple determinate branches. Gelidium koshikianum with middle‐sized thalli (5–8 cm tall) is distinguished from other species with such thalli by having wide axes (up to 2.5 mm wide) and short (2.0–3.2 mm), unbranched, second‐ and third‐order branches issuing at short intervals (0.8–1.4 mm). In phylogenetic analyses of rbcL sequences, four Gelidium species that are chiefly distributed in Japan including G. tenuifolium were clustered together with 99% bootstrap value (Japanese Gelidium‐complex clade). Gelidium linoides Kützing came to the position of the sister group to G. tenuifolium with 99% bootstrap value. There were four substitutions (0.3% divergence) between G. linoides and G. tenuifolium sequences. Gelidium koshikianum and Gelidium allanii Chapman were clustered together with 100% bootstrap value and they came to the position of the sister group to the Japanese GeIidium‐complex clade with 83% bootstrap value. There were six substitutions (0.4% divergence) between G. koshikianum and G. allanii sequences.     

Taro (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Colocasia esculenta</Emphasis> [L.] Schott) Cultivation in Vertical Wet-Dry Environments: Farmers’ Techniques and Cultivar Diversity in Southwestern Ethiopia

Taro (Colocasia esculenta [L.] Schott) Cultivation in Vertical Wet-Dry Environments: Farmers’ Techniques and Cultivar Diversity in Southwestern Ethiopia. Taro (Colocasia esculenta [L.] Schott) is a food crop that was domesticated in Asia and the Pacific region and is now grown in the humid tropics. Following its arrival in Africa in ancient times, it may have adapted to the drier environments. In this ethnographic study, I present a particular case of taro cultivation and uses by a group of farmers in the mountains of southwestern Ethiopia. There are 36 named cultivars of taro for which diversity is maintained through different cultivation techniques and culinary practices in wet and dry environments that vary in elevation. Because taro in dry lowland environments has recently been replaced by the introduction of new crops, it is possible that the drought-tolerant eddoe-type cultivars, which are traditionally dominant in Africa, are now in danger of disappearing.     

The emergent macrophyte Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott (Alismatales: Araceae), a rekindled old friend from the Pacific Slope of lower Central America and western Colombia

The genus Montrichardia are among the most remarkable emergent macrophytes in tropical wetlands. It occurs exclusively in the Neotropics and contains two living species, M. linifera (Arruda) Schott and M. arborescens (L.) Schott. Montrichardia linifera has been reported mainly in the Amazon basin (southern Venezuela to Guyana, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru), whereas M. arborescens occurs in Central America (Mexico to Panama), the Lesser Antilles and northern South America. Based on our review of herbarium specimens from Central America and Colombia, as well as field documentation in Panama, we hereby provide the first report of the occurrence of M. linifera in Panama, Central America and western Colombia. Furthermore, this finding represents the first record on the Pacific Slope for this species in the Neotropics. The habitat, ecology, life-form, taxonomic remarks and morphological characteristics of the species are presented, discussed and illustrated. Additionally, a key for the species of the genus Montrichardia is included; we also provide a discussion about the helophyte concept for the genus Montrichardia.     

Notes on British Boleti: II.

Summary

A key to the species of the genus Boletus sensu stricto based on habitat, microscopic and macroscopic characters is proposed. Three extra-limital species, as yet unrecorded from the British Isles, B. torosus, B. lupinus Krombh. and B. lupinus s. Bres., are included in the key in the hope that they may appear in future. They may have been overlooked previously or confused with far commoner forms, especially B. luridus, to which many quite distinct species have previously been referred. Also included in the key are three boletes not considered taxonomically to belong to this genus in its strict sense, although in some ways they are superficially similar. The only West European species of Tylopilus is keyed out and its taxonomic position considered. Boletus rubellus Krombh. placed by some American authors in Boletus sensu stricto is also discussed.     

Variation and evolution inLinum tenuifolium (Linaceae)

The phenetic variation inL. tenuifolium s.l. was assessed using multivariate analyses of 27 characters found to be variable within the species. These results are discussed and interpreted in the context of the reproductive biology, chromosome number and ecological responses of the taxa. Evidence suggests that both the self-compatible and tetraploid races were derived independently from a self-incompatible, diploid type. Although no taxonomic scheme is compatible with all of the evidence presented, the study supports a recent decision to recognize four taxa at subspecific level.     

Two new species of Blechnum (Blechnaceae) from the neotropics

Blechnum moranianum is a new species similar toB. loxense, andB. nigrum is segregated from theB. fragile complex. Both are described and illustrated as result of the author's taxonomic fern work in Costa Rica. Blechnum moranianum es una especie nueva similar aB. loxense, yB. nigrum es segregada del complejoB. fragile. Ambas son aquí descritas e ilustradas como resultado de los trabajos taxonómicos del autor en los helechos de Costa Rica.     

A fascinating island: 2n = 4

Abstract

Among Angiosperms, only six species are known to possess the lowest identified chromosome number, i.e. 2n = 4. These plants are the monocotyledons Zingeria biebersteiniana, Colpodium versicolor, Ornithogalum tenuifolium and Rhynchospora tenuis, and the dicotyledons Haplopappus gracilis and Brachyscome dichromosomatica. The low chromosome number may be cytogenetically derived from a different ancestral basic number, characteristic of each genus, by different processes, including tandem fusion or unequal reciprocal translocations with loss of centric fragments. All these plants possess low nuclear 4C DNA contents, ranging from 1.56 pg (R. tenuis) to 8.20 pg (H. gracilis), and they generally display a similar chromosome size and a similar position of the nucleolus organising region (NOR), that is often located in the terminal or subterminal region of the small chromosome pair. All these characteristics could be a consequence of common adaptative mechanisms. Peculiar characteristics within these karyotypes are the holocentric chromosomes of R. tenuis and the presence of B chromosomes in B. dichromosomatica. Plants with a very low chromosome number may be considered to constitute a fascinating “island of interest”; moreover, they represent simple systems helpful for the examination of the structural organisation and evolution of Angiosperm chromosomes.     

Amino acid sequences of ferredoxin isoproteins from Japanese taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott)

The amino acid sequences of ferredoxins (Fd A and Fd B) from Japanese taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott) were determined. They consisted of single polypeptide chains of 98 residues, and both Fds had molecular masses of 10700 and 10500, respectively. There was a 92% homology between the sequences of the isoproteins (Fd A and Fd B). These sequences were compared with those of the closely related plant Fds and their phylogenetic tree was constructed. Two ferredoxin isoproteins from Hawaiian taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott) were also isolated and their N-terminal sequences were determined to be identical to those of Japanese taro.     

CHLOROPLAST DNA VARIABILITY AMONG LINUM SPECIES

We have compared the chloroplast DNA maps of a selection of Linum species, using recombinant DNA probes derived from L. usitatissimum chloroplast DNA. The heterologous probes have allowed us to construct physical maps for seven other Linum species. The chloroplast DNAs from two other species, L. flavum and L. tenuifolium, were so divergent that restriction maps could not be derived by this method. Analysis of the differences between the chloroplast DNAs has produced a phylogeny separating the species into two groups. These groups are coincident with previous taxonomic groupings and consist of L. perenne-related and non-related species. The major difference between the chloroplast DNAs of the two groups is a 13-kilobase pair segment near an inverted repeat/large single copy region boundary, which is present in the perenne-group species and absent from the non-perenne group species. In addition, we have identified a mutational hotspot analogous to that found in Nicotiana species chloroplast DNAs (Tassopulu and Kung, 1984). Among the species examined, the amount of base pair substitutions approaches 14% for the sites examined.     

几株类棒束孢菌株分类地位的修订

【背景】粉棒束孢是自然环境中常见的一种昆虫病原真菌,全球广泛分布且寄主多样。然而,棒束孢属许多种形态学特征相似,仅根据经典形态学鉴定容易出现错乱现象。长期以来依据形态特征鉴定为粉棒束孢的菌株,其准确的分类地位出现了越来越多的争议。最近,该属起源被确定是多系发生的。【目的】明确粉棒束孢的分类沿革并探究先前被鉴定为粉棒束孢菌株的准确分类地位。【方法】选取6株先前被鉴定为粉棒束孢的菌株,对其进行经典形态观察,并扩增5个基因位点(nrSSU、nrLSU、TEF、RPB1和RPB2)的基因序列,进行多基因分子系统发育学分析。【结果】通过查阅文献和实验研究,明确了粉棒束孢分类研究的历史沿革;供试的6株不同来源的菌株与粉棒束孢模式种亲缘关系较远,而与新成立的组合种Samsoniella hepiali完全一致。【结论】利用经典形态学特征和构建5个基因系统发育树,重新修订6株类棒束孢菌株的正确分类地位为Samsoniella hepiali。为该类昆虫病原真菌正确分类提供合理的方法,也为开发和利用该类菌株提供科学的指导。     

Review of subgenus Compsochromia Kiriakoff 1953 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae,genus Balacra) with identification keys and description of a new species from Cameroon

Summary. Subgenus Compsochromia Kiriakoff 1953 is briefly reviewed. An overview of the taxonomic history of the group is provided along with a checklist covering all synonyms. Balacra flava n. sp. is described on the basis of eight specimens of both sexes collected in Cameroon. Three separate keys, based on male and female habitus as well as on the male genitalia, are presented for the determination of Compsochromia specimens. The vesica of B. compsa is described and illustrated for the first time.     

A new low chromosome number forOrnithogalum tenuifolium (Hyacinthaceae)

A new chromosome number (2n=4) forOrnithogalum tenuifolium Delaroche is reported. The new chromosome race is postulated to have originated by a Robertsonian translocation from a Southern African chromosome race with six chromosomes, and represents thus the final step in a series of decreasing basic number of the species.     

George Murray,naturalist

Summary

The distributions of the British taxa within the genus Gentianella are examined. They form a remarkably complete picture of the whole of the section Endotricha throughout its range. Only one species, G. amarella, seems not to be seriously diminishing but it, in common with the others, is ecologically inflexible and has been badly affected by the activities of man (and the loss of the rabbit). Direct environmental changes may be responsible, too, for the disappearance of G. campestris from many places. Some names, notably G. baltica, have gone because of changes in taxonomic thinking, or taxonomic fashion; the criteria by which they were established can now be seen as the results of relatively short term changes, and we can better deal with them as biosystematic units within a wider taxonomic species. Others (G. germanica, G. uliginosa and G. cornubiensis), are the victims of environmental change in a less direct way; the breakdown of breeding barriers leads to their reabsorption into the wider ranging species. So the losses are both apparent and real. Although the gene-pool of G. amarella the ‘polyspecies’ is perhaps enlarging it does not equip it to resist the erosion of its habitats. G. campestris may have already gone too far along the same road.