Lomatogonium cherukurianum sp. nov. (Gentianaceae) from Sikkim Himalaya

Populations of an unknown taxon of Lomatogonium A. Braun have been found during floristic surveys in the alpine pasture of north Sikkim, India. Comparison with morphologically similar taxa (Lomatogonium stapfii (Burkill) Harry Smith and L. longifolium Harry Smith) revealed that the new populations represent a species new to science, which is described as L. cherukurianum. Data on phenology, ecology and distribution of the new species is provided together with illustrations.     

Reinstatement of Myelophycus caespitosus (Scytosiphonaceae,Phaeophyceae) from Japan

Reinstatement of Myelophycus caespitosus Kjellman (Ectocarpales s.l., Phaeophyceae) described from western Japan is proposed based on the comparisons of DNA sequences of Japanese Myelophycus specimens, the type specimen of Chordaria simplex and lectotypified specimen of Myelophycus caespitosus. In the genetic analyses using mitochondrial cox1 and cox3, chloroplast atpB, psbA and rbcL DNA sequences, the specimens morphologically referable to M. simplex formed two distinct clades (clade‐1 and clade‐2) supported by high statistical values. Clade‐1 was distributed on the western coast of Japan (Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu) from the Kii Peninsula to Tsushima and the Pacific coast of Aomori, northeastern Honshu, and clade‐2 on the Pacific coast of central Honshu from Sanriku to the Kii Peninsula. Based on the cox3 DNA sequences and the location of the type locality at Shimoda, Izu Peninsula, clade‐2 was concluded to correspond to true M. simplex. There were no recognizable differences in the representative morphological features (height and diameter of sporophytes and gametophytes, number of cells comprising cortical, subcortical and medullary layers, thickness of plurilocular gametangia, or length and diameter of unilocular zoidangia) between the specimens included in the two taxa. Analyses of the specimens of the two taxa, including sympatric populations on the Kii Peninsula, using a nuclear genetic marker ocm3 did not suggest any genetic exchanges between the two taxa. On the other hand, cox3 gene sequence of the voucher specimen of Myelophycus caespitosus collected from Goto, Kyushu, western Japan housed in the UPS herbarium was included in clade‐1. In conclusion, we propose the reinstatement of M. caespitosus and to lectotypify the specimen in UPS. Korean Myelophycus specimens reported from Cheju Island and Wando were considered to belong to M. caespitosus based on the reported rbcL sequences.     

Revision of Launaea Cass. (Compositae) in Egypt with special references to cypselar diversity

A systematic revision for the species of Launaea Cass. in Egypt has revealed the presence of fourteen taxa belonging to 12 species, of which L. acanthodes (Boiss.) Kuntze is a new recorded. One new combination “L. fragilis subsp. tenuiloba (Boiss.) Zareh & Mohamed” is made. Achene diversity of the studied taxa of Launaea was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. The taxonomic relationships between the studied taxa were discussed as well as SEM micrographs of achenes are provided. Synonyms and key for the identification of the investigated taxa based on morphological characters as well as notes on distribution are provided.     

Inventario delle Corallinales del Mar Mediterraneo: considerazioni tassonomiche

Abstract

Inventory of Corallinales of the Mediterranean Sea: taxonomic aspects. - The aim of the present work is the drawing up of a critical inventory of Corallinales of the Mediterranean Sea. This research has been based upon a census of 320 works published since 175 years, upon direct collections and sample exchanges. A census of 88 species of Corallinales (with forms and varieties), made up on the basis of about 5000 records, has been taken. 34 of the 88 species are considered “species dubiae aut rariter inventae”, it has been reported also “species inquirendae” and “species addendae”. From this census it results that there are some taxonomic problems about genera attributions (Lithophyllum, Pseudolithophyllum, Titanoderma, Neogoniolithon, Spongites, Goniolithion, Leptophytum), species attributions of articulated Corallinales (Corallina elongata, C. officinalis e Haliptilon squamatum) and non-articulated Corallinales (Fosliella ischitana, Lithophyllum (Titanoderma) trochanter, Spongites fruticulosus). Definition of these taxonomic attributions might condition not only studies of phytogeographical distribution of these algae but also every successive interpretation.     

Plant diversity of Hyrcanian relict forests: An annotated checklist,chorology and threat categories of endemic and near endemic vascular plant speciesOA

In this paper a critical annotated checklist of 256 endemic and near endemic species belonging to 152 genera and 50 families of flowering plants known from Hyrcanian relict forests is presented. Distribution maps of taxa, elevational range, number of known records, chorotypes, life forms, IUCN threat categories and habitat types are also provided. The chorotypes are categorized into eight main patterns: 1) the Omni-Hyrcanian pattern(OH), 2) West Hyrcanian pattern(WH), 3) Manjil-Rudbar pattern(MR...     

Floristic studies on freshwater algae of Lake Gondwana,Northern Victoria Land (Antarctica)

Benthic algal mats and phytoplankton of Lake Gondwana (Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica) were investigated. Biomass, chlorophyll content and floristic analyses were carried out on algal mats. The mats are composed of two layers different in colour, floristic composition and chlorophyll content. The algal flora of the mats amount to 34 taxa (19 Cyanophyta, 7 Bacillariophyta, 8 Chlorophyta). The phytoplankton community is species-poor (only 5 taxa). Crytophyta account for about 98% of total algal density.     

Molecular phylogeny of Solms‐laubachia (Brassicaceae) s.l., based on multiple nuclear and plastid DNA sequences,and its biogeographic implications

Abstract The Hengduan Mountains region of south‐west China is a noted biodiversity hotspot, but the geographic origins and historical assembly of its rich endemic flora, including the sky‐island species of Solms‐laubachia Muschl. (Brassicaceae), have been little studied. Previous molecular studies on the phylogeny of Solms‐laubachia showed it to be paraphyletic, leading to considerable expansion not only of its taxonomic limits, but also its geographic range, with the inclusion of taxa from outside the Hengduan region. However, these studies provided little resolution of interspecific relationships, preventing inferences about historical biogeography within the clade. In the present study, new sequence data from two nuclear genes (LEAFY and G3pdh) and two chloroplast intergenic spacers (petN–psbM and psbM–trnD) were combined with existing markers to increase phylogenetic signals. Phaeonychium villosum (Maxim.) Al‐Shehbaz was found to be nested within Solms‐laubachia s.l. In general, phylogenetic relationships appear to be a good predictor of geography, with the Hengduan Mountain endemics embedded in a paraphyletic grade of species from the western Himalayas and central Asia, but they also imply morphological homoplasy. Incongruence was detected between the nuclear and chloroplast gene trees, perhaps resulting from incomplete lineage sorting of ancestral polymorphisms. The crown age of Solms‐laubachia s.l. was estimated to be approximately 1.42–3.68 mya, using Bayesian relaxed molecular clock analysis. Historical biogeographic analysis using a parametric dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis model inferred central Asia and the western Himalayas as most probable ancestral range of Solms‐laubachia s.l., and estimated higher rates of eastward expansion than westward during the diversification of descendant lineages. In summary, our results suggest that Solms‐laubachia s.l. originated during the Pliocene in central Asia, and subsequently migrated eastward into the Hengduan Mountains, colonizing sky‐island, alpine scree‐slope habitats that may have provided novel ecological opportunity and accelerated speciation, ultimately establishing this region as the present center of diversity of the genus.     

Four new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe</Emphasis> (Aloaceae) from Ethiopia,with notes on the ethics of describing new taxa from foreign countries

Subsequent to the treatment of the Aloaceae, with 38 species of Aloe, in the Flora of Ethiopia (Sebsebe Demissew & Gilbert 1997), four more species, Aloe bertemariae Sebsebe & Dioli (2000), A. friisii Sebsebe & M. G. Gilbert (2000), A. clarkei L. E. Newton (2002) and A. elkerriana Dioli & T. A. McCoy (2007) have been described from that country. Here four additional new species are described: Aloe benishangulana Sebsebe & Tesfaye from near Assosa, Benishangul-Gumuz in Welega floristic region; A. ghibensis Sebsebe & Friis from the Ghibe Gorge, Kefa floristic region; A. weloensis Sebsebe from near Dessie in Welo floristic region and A. welmelensis Sebsebe & Nordal along the Welmel River in Bale floristic region. The phytogeographical positions of the new species are assessed by comparison with the previously known species. Complications with the deposition of type material of A. clarkei and A. elkerriana is used to raise various issues regarding the ethics of describing new taxa from foreign countries.     

Exploring the Afromontane centre of endemism: Kniphofia Moench (Asphodelaceae) as a floristic indicator

Aim The genus Kniphofia contains 71 species with an African–Malagasy distribution, including one species from Yemen. The genus has a general Afromontane distribution. Here we explore whether Kniphofia is a floristic indicator of the Afromontane centre of endemism and diversity. The South Africa Centre of diversity and endemism was explored in greater detail to understand biogeographical patterns. Location Africa, Afromontane Region, southern Africa, Madagascar and Yemen. Methods Diversity and endemism for the genus were examined at the continental scale using a chorological approach. Biogeographical patterns and endemism in the South Africa Centre were examined in greater detail using chorology, phenetics, parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) and mapping of range‐restricted taxa. Results Six centres of diversity were recovered, five of which are also centres of endemism. Eight subcentres of diversity are proposed, of which only two are considered subcentres of endemism. The South Africa Centre is the most species‐rich region and the largest centre of endemism for Kniphofia. The phenetic analysis of the South Africa Centre at the full degree square scale recovered three biogeographical areas that correspond with the subcentres obtained from the chorological analysis. The PAE (at the full degree square scale) and the mapping of range‐restricted taxa recovered two and six areas of endemism (AOEs), respectively. These latter two approaches produced results of limited value, possibly as a result of inadequate collecting of Kniphofia species. Only two AOEs were identified by PAE and these are embedded within two of the six AOEs recovered by the mapping of range‐restricted taxa. All the above AOEs are within the three subcentres found by chorological and phenetic analysis (at the full degree square scale) for the South Africa Centre. Main conclusions The centres for Kniphofia broadly correspond to the Afromontane regional mountain systems, but with some notable differences. We regard Kniphofia as a floristic indicator of the Afromontane Region sensu lato. In southern Africa, the phenetic approach at the full‐degree scale retrieved areas that correlate well with those obtained by the chorological approach.     

Phytogeography of Hong Kong bryophytes

Aim Hong Kong is in a biogeographically interesting location on the northern margins of the Asian tropics. This paper analyzes the phytogeography of Hong Kong's bryophyte flora for the first time. Location Hong Kong lies on the South China coast, 22°9′–22°37′ N, 113°52′–114°30′ E. It is one of the most densely populated places in the world, but because of the rugged topography only 20% of the total land area of 1100 km² is urbanized. Although 130 km south of the Tropic of Cancer, it has a subtropical climate with distinct hot, humid and cool, dry seasons. Methods The analysis is based on a new and relatively complete inventory of Hong Kong's bryoflora. Each taxon was assigned to a phytogeographical pattern on the basis of its present worldwide distribution. Krober's percentage similarity was employed to evaluate the floristic affinities between different regions. Results The bryophyte flora consists of at least 360 species and twelve infraspecific taxa in 159 genera and seventy families, of which four taxa are locally endemic. The largest families are Lejeuneaceae (fifty‐one taxa), Fissidentaceae (28), Hypnaceae (21), Dicranaceae (20), Calymperaceae (18), and Sematophyllaceae (15). The largest genera are Fissidens (28), Cololejeunea (17), Lejeunea (10), Syrrhopodon (9), Frullania (8), and Macromitrium (8). Fourteen phytogeographical patterns are recognized. The East Asian pattern is the commonest (seventy‐three taxa, 19.6%), followed by Asian–Australian–Oceanian (45, 12.1%) and Temperate (44, 11.8%). Overall, a third of taxa have tropical distributions. The bryofloras of eleven regions were compared with that of Hong Kong. The most similar regions are Hainan Province, Taiwan Province, and Japan. Mosses and liverworts show very similar phytogeographical distributions. Main conclusions (1) The Hong Kong bryoflora is best described as northern marginal tropical, with a strong Eastern Asian and Temperate influence; (2) the region of closest phytogeographical affinity for which information is available is Hainan; (3) in comparison with vascular plants, vertebrates and those invertebrate groups for which there is information, the bryoflora has a relatively low proportion of tropical taxa; (4) the bryoflora of Hong Kong appears to be exceptionally rich for its small area.     

贡嘎山石松类和蕨类植物的多样性与海拔分布（附表）

贡嘎山是横断山脉海拔最高的一座大山,是研究山地植物多样性和海拔分布的理想地区。为了探讨贡嘎山地区石松类和蕨类植物多样性组成及海拔分布特点,该研究基于野外考察、标本采集鉴定及文献考证,对贡嘎山地区石松类和蕨类植物进行统计和分析。结果表明:(1)贡嘎山地区有石松类植物3科4属25种,蕨类植物有23科56属291种。(2)主要的珍稀濒危植物有6种,分别是高寒水韭(Iso tes hypsophila)、松叶蕨(Psilotum nudum)、桫椤(Alsophila spinulosa)、小叶中国蕨(Aleuritopteris albofusca)、玉龙蕨(Polystichum glaciale)和扇蕨(Lepisorus palmatopedatus)。(3)优势科为鳞毛蕨科(Dryopteridaceae)75种、水龙骨科(Polypodiaceae)56种、凤尾蕨科(Pteridaceae)54种和蹄盖蕨科(Athyriaceae)37种;优势属为耳蕨属(Polystichum)45种、鳞毛蕨属(Dryopteris)24种、蹄盖蕨属(Athyrium)24种和瓦韦属(Lepisorus)19种。(4)区系以温带成分为主,有286种(93.77%)。随着海拔的上升,石松类和蕨类的物种多样性逐渐增加,2000~3000 m海拔段的物种多样性最高,为20科46属192种,3000 m以上物种多样性逐渐下降,4500 m以上仅分布有4种蕨类植物。此外,该研究还发现,随着海拔的升高,中国-喜马拉雅成分逐渐增加。     

Systematic significance of seed coat morphology inSilene L. s. str. (sileneae-caryophyllaceae) from Korea

Seeds of eight species ofSilene s. str. in Korea were examined with a dissecting stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to evaluate the systematic significance of seed coat microstructure. The seeds ofSilene s. str. were characterized by triangular or reniform shape, planed or concave dorsal surface in outline, tuberculate or colliculate testa, and sinuated cell margin. Based on the degree of grooves and invagination at dorsal surface, the seeds of the examined taxa ofSilene s. str. fall into two distinct groups: (I) dorsal grooves inconspicuous, surface planed (Silene jenisseensis andS. repens), (II) dorsal grooves conspicuous, surface concave (six remaining taxa). Within each group, seeds of all species may be further distinguished based on shape, size, and testa surface sculpturing. A key to the different species or groups of species is provided, and the systematic significance between/among the taxa is also briefly discussed.     

Floristic corridors for moss distribution across the Neovolcanic Belt of Mexico. I. The Tuxpan corridor

Abstract

In theory, the E-W location and high elevation of the Neovolcanic Belt have reduced floristic flow between parts of northern and southern Mexico. However, this barrier effect is not complete, as may be inferred from the distribution of moss taxa in adjacent areas. Migration across the Neovolcanic Belt may account for the presence of many moss species on either side of this mountain range. Moss exchange may take place through topographic discontinuities herewith designated as floristic corridors. There are at least seven such inland corridors as well as the two coastal plain areas. The latter are probably very important in the latitudinal distribution of lowland species from the tropics northward. The moss flora of the Tuxpan corridor in Michoacan includes lowland species and corridor taxa which have reached or crossed the Neovolcanic Belt from the south if of tropical derivation. The remaining mosses are high elevation species or taxa of broad altitudinal distribution which have spread along the mountains.     

Wikiplantbase #Toscana,breaking the dormancy of floristic data

The online platform “Wikiplantbase #Toscana” provides a framework where the full set of georeferenced floristic records of Tuscany (central Italy) can be entered, stored, updated and freely accessed through the Internet. As of 5 January 2015, the database stores 67,360 floristic records, referable to 3578 accepted specific and subspecific taxa. Most records are based on published data (80.6% of the total), then by published herbarium specimens (15.1%) and on unpublished field data (3.8%); unpublished herbarium records account only for 0.5% of the stored data. At present, the most represented species is the fern Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn subsp. aquilinum (Dennstaedtiaceae) with 234 records for 219 localities, but 625 species are still represented only by one record for a single locality. Data acquisition is far from complete, but in slightly more than one year a massive amount of data was accumulated, and can be maintained up-to-date with relatively little effort. This could power several researches such as, for example, (1) taxonomic researches especially on species and genera in Tuscany and Italy; (2) studies on the distribution of diversity across administrative or ecological boundaries; (3) evaluation of conservation status of endangered taxa; and (4) static and dynamic range modelling and evolution niche studies.     

Floristic elements in European vascular plants: an analysis based on Atlas Florae Europaeae

Aim To identify floristic elements in the European flora by an analysis of the distributions of species and species groups mapped in Atlas Florae Europaeae. Location Europe, as defined by Flora Europaea. Methods We analysed the native distributions of 2762 species and 33 species’ aggregates from 79 families, which represent c. 20% of the European flora. The distributional data base, derived from Atlas Florae Europaeae, includes records from 4420 50 × 50‐km UTM grid squares. We classified species into floristic elements by a three‐stage clustering procedure, which consisted of: (1) constructing a dissimilarity hierarchy by complete linkage clustering, using a distance measure based on Jaccard’s coefficient; (2) cutting the hierarchical tree at the 0.95 level to create initial clusters, and forcing small clusters to link with larger ones until the sum of within‐group pairwise distances exceeded a threshold value; and (3) checking the allocation of all species to the redefined clusters and reassigning species if appropriate, using the cosine of the angle between the species and cluster centres to measure the similarity of species to clusters. Results The clustering procedure classified 2793 taxa into 18 floristic elements, which included between 66 and 289 taxa; two species had unique, non‐overlapping distributions and could not be classified. Main conclusions The analysis highlights the floristic diversity of the mountains of central and southern Europe, and of the Mediterranean region. The floristic elements of northern latitudes and the temperate lowlands tend to be composed of wide‐ranging species and include only a low proportion of European endemics. The montane elements, including those centred on montane areas in the Mediterranean region, are composed predominantly of perennial species and include high or very high proportions of European endemics. Classifications that recognize one ‘Alpine’ and one ‘Mediterranean’ biogeographical zone in Europe fail to reflect this floristic diversity.     

A new species of the extinct genus Austrohamia (Cupressaceae s.l.) in the Daohugou Jurassic flora of China and its phytogeographical implications

Abstract A new conifer, Austrohamia acanthobractea, sp. nov., is described from the Jurassic Daohugou flora, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The material consists of impressions represented by well‐preserved leafy twigs and branches as well as ovulate cones. Leafy shoots with at least two orders of branching; ultimate branchlets alternate or sub‐opposite with helically arranged leaves, decurrent at base with distal rounded tip; dorsiventrally flattened and univeined. Ovuliferous cones elliptical, less than 1 cm long, terminally borne on ultimate and penultimate branches, composed of helically arranged bracts with ovules disposed on their adaxial surfaces. The presence of similar, if not identical taxa, on both sides of the Pacific indicates the cosmopolitan distribution of primitive Cupressaceae between East Asia (Eurasia) and South America in the Pangaea.     

Correction to: An update and reassessment of fern and lycophyte diversity data in the Japanese Archipelago

The fern and lycophyte flora of Japan comprising 721 native taxa (including subspecies and varieties) plus 371 interspecific hybrids was reassessed using a nearly comprehensively sampled distribution map at 10 km resolution vouchered by 216,687 specimens, up-to-date cytotaxonomic information covering 74% of the taxa, and an rbcL sequence dataset covering 97.9% of the taxa. Spatial distribution of species richness and phylogenetic diversity was visualized. Apomixis was observed in 11.0% of the native taxa whose reproductive modes are known. The number of sexually reproducing polyploid taxa (n = 199) is less than sexual diploids (n = 241), and 30 of them are evidently allopolyploid, in contrast with the low number of possible autopolyploids (n = 4). Apomictic taxa were found to have smaller latitudinal ranges than sexual taxa or taxa with multiple reproductive modes. A morphological character dataset in Lucid format is provided for taxonomic identification of the native taxa.

     

On the structure,typology and periodism of Cystoseira spinosa Sauvageau community and of Cystoseira zosteroides C. Agardh community from Eastern coast of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

A study on Cystoseira spinosa community and Cystoseira zosteroides community from Catania (Eastern coast of Sicily) is presented. It is based on monthly samples carried out throughout a year. That permitted to better characterize the communities as regards their periodism and floristic composition. From the comparative examination of samples made, resulted that the communities differ each other mainly in the Cystoseira species since their floristic composition are on the whole quite similar.