Phylogeny and classification of tribe Aedini (Diptera: Culicidae)

The phylogeny and classification of tribe Aedini are delineated based on a cladistic analysis of 336 characters from eggs, fourth‐instar larvae, pupae, adult females and males, and immature stage habitat coded for 270 exemplar species, including an outgroup of four species from different non‐aedine genera. Analyses of the data set with all multistate characters treated as unordered under implied weights, implemented by TNT version 1.1, with values of the concavity constant K ranging from 7 to 12 each produced a single most parsimonious cladogram (MPC). The MPCs obtained with K values of 7–9 were identical, and that for K = 10 differed only in small changes in the relationships within one subclade. Because values of K < 7 and > 10 produced large changes in the relationships among the taxa, the stability of relationships exemplified by the MPC obtained from the K = 9 analysis is used to interpret the phylogeny and classification of Aedini. Clade support was assessed using parsimony jackknife and symmetric resampling. Overall, the results reinforce the patterns of relationships obtained previously despite differences in the taxa and characters included in the analyses. With two exceptions, all of the groups represented by two or more species were once again recovered as monophyletic taxa. Thus, the monophyly of the following genera and subgenera is corroborated: Aedes, Albuginosus, Armigeres (and its two subgenera), Ayurakitia, Bothaella, Bruceharrisonius, Christophersiomyia, Collessius (and its two subgenera), Dahliana, Danielsia, Dobrotworskyius, Downsiomyia, Edwardsaedes, Finlaya, Georgecraigius (and its two subgenera), Eretmapodites, Geoskusea, Gilesius, Haemagogus (and its two subgenera), Heizmannia (and subgenus Heizmannia), Hopkinsius (and its two subgenera), Howardina, Hulecoeteomyia, Jarnellius, Kenknightia, Lorrainea, Macleaya, Mucidus (and its two subgenera), Neomelaniconion, Ochlerotatus (subgenera Chrysoconops, Culicelsa, Gilesia, Pholeomyia, Protoculex, Rusticoidus and Pseudoskusea), Opifex, Paraedes, Patmarksia, Phagomyia, Pseudarmigeres, Rhinoskusea, Psorophora (and its three subgenera), Rampamyia, Scutomyia, Stegomyia, Tanakaius, Udaya, Vansomerenis, Verrallina (and subgenera Harbachius and Neomacleaya), Zavortinkius and Zeugnomyia. In addition, the monophyly of Tewarius, newly added to the data set, is confirmed. Heizmannia (Mattinglyia) and Verrallina (Verrallina) were found to be paraphyletic with respect to Heizmannia (Heizmannia) and Verrallina (Neomacleaya), respectively. The analyses were repeated with the 14 characters derived from length measurements treated as ordered. Although somewhat different patterns of relationships among the genera and subgenera were found, all were recovered as monophyletic taxa with the sole exception of Dendroskusea stat. nov. Fifteen additional genera, three of which are new, and 12 additional subgenera, 11 of which are new, are proposed for monophyletic clades, and a few lineages represented by a single species, based on tree topology, the principle of equivalent rank, branch support and the number and nature of the characters that support the branches. Acartomyia stat. nov. , Aedimorphus stat. nov. , Cancraedes stat. nov. , Cornetius stat. nov. , Geoskusea stat. nov. , Levua stat. nov. , Lewnielsenius stat. nov. , Rhinoskusea stat. nov. and Sallumia stat. nov., which were previously recognized as subgenera of various genera, are elevated to generic status. Catageiomyia stat. nov. and Polyleptiomyia stat. nov. are resurrected from synonymy with Aedimorphus, and Catatassomyia stat. nov. and Dendroskusea stat. nov. are resurrected from synonymy with Diceromyia. Bifidistylus gen. nov. (type species: Aedes lamborni Edwards) and Elpeytonius gen. nov. (type species: Ochlerotatus apicoannulatus Edwards) are described as new for species previously included in Aedes (Aedimorphus), and Petermattinglyius gen. nov. (type species: Aedes iyengari Edwards) and Pe. (Aglaonotus) subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes whartoni Mattingly) are described as new for species previously included in Aedes (Diceromyia). Four additional subgenera are recognized for species of Ochlerotatus, including Oc. (Culicada) stat. nov. (type species: Culex canadensis Theobald), Oc. (Juppius) subgen. nov. (type species: Grabhamia caballa Theobald), Oc. (Lepidokeneon) subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes spilotus Marks) and Oc. (Woodius) subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes intrudens Dyar), and seven are proposed for species of Stegomyia: St. (Actinothrix) subgen. nov. (type species: Stegomyia edwardsi Barraud), St. (Bohartius) subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes pandani Stone), St. (Heteraspidion) subgen. nov. (type species: Stegomyia annandalei Theobald), St. (Huangmyia) subgen. nov. (type species: Stegomyia mediopunctata Theobald), St. (Mukwaya) subgen. nov. (type species: Stegomyia simpsoni Theobald), St. (Xyele) subgen. nov. (type species: Stegomyia desmotes Giles) and St. (Zoromorphus) subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes futunae Belkin). Due to the unavailability of specimens for study, many species of Stegomyia are without subgeneric placement. As is usual with generic‐level groups of Aedini, the newly recognized genera and subgenera are polythetic taxa that are diagnosed by unique combinations of characters. The analysis corroborates the previous observation that ‘Oc. (Protomacleaya)’ is a polyphyletic assemblage of species.     

Morphological characters and classification of the subclass Monilifera (Pogonophora) and the problem of evolution of the bridle in pogonophorans

This paper presents the results of the revision of the subclass Monilifera (Pogonophora) based on an analysis of all currently known morphological features. The most important diagnostic characters of Monilifera are the presence of two tentacles without pinnules, a neurotroch on the forepart, a fragmented bridle, a transparent rigid tube, the lack of postannular region, and spermatophores. A few characters are newly proposed for the systematics of Monilifera: the length of tentacles, cephalic lobe, and forepart relative to the forepart diameter, average forepart diameter, paired coelom I, the presence of multicellular glands in the prefrenular region of first segment, the lack of muscular ridges of girdles, unfolded and nonconcave opisthosomal growth zone, teethed opisthosomal setae being arranged in four transverse rows or in a circle on each setigerous segment. The modified and expanded differential diagnoses of subclass Monilifera, order Sclerolinida, family Sclerolinidae, and genus Sclerolinum are given. Archeolinum gen. n. is erected to accommodate all moniliferan species, except for Sclerolinum sibogae Southward, 1961, on the basis of bridle and tube structure, as well as the most important morphometric parameters of forepart. All data on the morphology and evolution of the bridle as one of the most peculiar organs of pogonophorans are systematized. A complete series of transformations of the bridle structure is proposed: from plesiomorphic simple cuticular plaques scattered on the forepart dorsal surface to regular plaques with a thickened edge, ridge, and rodlike bodies. The merging of individual cuticular plaques and the reduction of their membranes resulted in the formation of a fused bridle. However, the traces of rodlike bodies and their derivates (the so-called blocks) can be found in many apomorphic bridles. Finally, total reduction of all elements of the initial cuticular plaque, except the thickened edge, led to the formation of a homogenous bridle, which is characteristic of most pogonophorans.     

欧亚大陆裸蝗亚科的分类研究（直翅目: 蝗亚目: 蝗总科）

本文对欧亚大陆裸蝗亚科(Conophyminae)进行了系统的分类研究, 将其分为4个族, 其中包括3个新族, 即贝氏蝗族(Bienkoini tribe nov.)、庚蝗族（Genimenini tribe nov.）和普乐氏蝗族 （Plotnikovini tribe nov.）, 记述了一新属--原无翅蝗属Eozubovskya gen. nov., 并附已知4族25属的检索表。将该亚科中原有3个具翅的属（Khayyamia Kocak, 1981, Conophymacris Willemse, 1933 和Zagrosia Descamps, 1967）移出, 归入秃蝗亚科（Podisminae）。     

Phylogeny of Grumichellini Morse, 1981 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) with the description of a new genus from southeastern Peru

Osflintia manu, new genus, new species, of long-horned caddisfly (Leptoceridae: Triplectidinae: Grumichellini) is described and illustrated from southeastern Peru. The phylogeny of Grumichellini Morse (Leptoceridae: Triplectidinae) is revisited and hypotheses of homology of some morphological characters are reconsidered. The monophyly of the tribe is corroborated and the phylogenetic relationships of its included genera are inferred to be (Triplexa (Gracilipsodes ((Grumichella, Amazonatolica) (Atanatolica, Osflintia, n. gen.)))) from adult and larval characters. Diagnostic characters of the new genus include the following: reduced tibial spur formula (2, 2, 2), loss of forewing crossvein sc-r1, hind wing discoidal cell closed, hind wing fork IV present, pair of long setae on tergum IX of the male genitalia, and pair of processes on the apex of segment X.     

Ecology and systematics of mangrove crabs of the genus Perisesarma (Crustacea: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from East Africa

East Africa has a reduced mangrove crab species richness when compared to Asian mangroves. To date, only one species of Perisesarma de Man, 1895 has been reported in East Africa, despite more than 30 years of mangrove research in this region. Based on morphology, colour, mtDNA and behaviour, we describe a new species of Perisesarma from Kenya, P. samawati sp. nov. Surprisingly, when comparing molecular data from other species within this genus, P. samawati sp. nov. and the sympatric P. guttatum (A. Milne Edwards, 1869) are not sister species. Some aspects of the ecology of P. guttatum and P. samawati sp. nov. are compared and the differences discussed. Additionally, we compare P. samawati sp. nov. with the ecological literature of a possible sister species P. eumolpe de Man, 1895 from Malaysian mangroves. Our findings suggest that the new species is an ecologically important species in East African mangroves.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 141 , 435–445.     

Phylogeny and systematics of Sphaeriusidae (Coleoptera: Myxophaga): minute living fossils with underestimated past and present-day diversity

Sphaeriusidae (Coleoptera: Myxophaga) is a group of shiny, blackish and hemispherical riparian beetles, known for their miniaturized bodies. They are worldwide in distribution, but very limited information is available about taxonomic and morphological diversity, and natural and evolutionary history. The aim of this study is to help fill in these gaps. We examined the external morphology of modern representatives using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and reconstructed the phylogeny of the family using five DNA markers (cytochrome oxidase I, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, CAD and wingless). Our results suggest a larger morphological diversity than previously expected, corresponding to the deep genetic divergences of principal lineages. We also examined two inclusions in 99-million-year-old Burmese amber. The integration of all evidence allows us to recognize three genera: the extinct genus †Burmasporum Kirejtshuk, the newly defined genus Bezesporum gen.nov. preserved in Burmese amber (B. burmiticum sp.nov. ) and present in the modern fauna of Southeast Asia, and the genus Sphaerius Waltl with a world-wide distribution. Sphaerius species are morphologically highly uniform, with the exception of species from Australia and South Africa, which share some characteristics with Bezesporum gen.nov. despite being resolved as deeply nested lineages of Sphaerius by DNA data. The presence of Bezesporum gen.nov. in Burmese amber and in recent fauna indicates that Sphaeriusidae largely maintained their specific morphology and specialized riparian lifestyle for at least 100 million years. Therefore, they can be considered an exceptionally conserved group, with a minimum of evolutionary changes over a long period. Our study also demonstrates that the species numbers and fine-scale morphological diversity of Sphaeriusidae are larger than expected in both the past and present-day faunas. Both were apparently underestimated due to the minute body size and cryptic habits of these beetles.     

Phylogeny of the Madagascar-centred tribe Danaideae (Rubiaceae) as a precursor to taxonomic revision: insights into its generic and species limits,affinities and distribution

Background and aimsThe tribe Danaideae (Rubiaceae) is almost exclusively endemic to the Western Indian Ocean Region (WIOR), and encompasses the genera Danais, Payera and Schismatoclada that occur in humid, sub-humid and mountain and mountain bio climate zones. Much of the species diversity is endemic to restricted, remote and/or mountainous areas of Madagascar and recent field work on the island indicates substantial unknown diversity of the Danaideae. Furthermore, the monophyly of the Malagasy genera Payera and Schismatoclada has been questioned in previous work, species delimitations and phylogenetic relationships within the genera are poorly understood, and the distribution and evolution of gross morphological features have not been assessed.MethodsWe conducted morphological investigations, and produced robust phylogenies of Danaideae based on nuclear and plastid sequence data from 193 terminals. Ample plant material has been newly collected in the WIOR for the purpose of the present study, including potentially new species unknown to science. We performed Bayesian non-clock and relaxed-clock analyses employing three alternative clock models of a dataset with a dense sample of taxa from the entire geographical ranges of Danaideae. Based on the results, we discuss species diversity and distribution, relationships, and morphology in Danaideae.Key resultsOur results demonstrate the monophyly of Danaideae, its three genera and 42 species. Nine species are resolved as non-monophyletic. Many geographically distinct but morphologically heterogeneous lineages were identified, and morphological features traditionally considered diagnostic of subgroups of the genera, used for example in species identification keys, are not clade-specific.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that Madagascar contains ample previously undocumented morphological and species diversity of Danaideae. Our novel approach to molecular phylogenetic analyses as a precursor to taxonomic revisions provides numerous benefits for the latter. There are tentative indications of parallel northward diversification in Payera and Schismatoclada on Madagascar, and of geographical phylogenetic clustering despite the anemochorous condition of Danaideae.     

Phylogeny and classification of the Scopulini moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Sterrhinae)

The phylogenetic relationships of the genera in the geometrid tribe Scopulini (Lepidoptera: Sterrhinae) were examined using 141 characters of adult morphology and ecology. The study material included 92 species, representing all previously recognized genera and covering the morphological variation and full geographical range of the tribe. The cladistic analysis resulted in 20 equally parsimonious trees and a strict consensus cladogram based on these was well resolved. A majority of the recovered synapomorphic characters have been used previously in the taxonomy of the tribe. However, many novel characters were found in the sclerotized structures of the thorax. Many previously recognized genera were found to be nonmonophyletic and based on the present revised, synapomorphy-based classification, the number of recovered genera is reduced considerably. Twenty new generic synonyms and 90 new or revived species combinations are proposed. Seven genera are considered valid, with the large genus Scopula Schrank including over 85% of all species in the tribe. The taxonomic history of the tribe is reviewed and the problems of earlier classifications are discussed. A key to the genera is presented, although an informal diagnosis is preferred. All recognized genera are illustrated and a revised world checklist of the Scopulini is presented.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 143 , 473−530.     

A review of the genera of Macariini with a revised classification of the tribe (Geometridae: Ennominae)

The generic classification of moths of the tribe Macariini Guenée is reviewed critically, and a revised classification is presented. The review is based on a survey of species across the taxonomic and geographical range of the tribe. In the new framework, the number of genera is reduced considerably. Two genera are very large: Macaria Curtis (mainly New World) and Chiasmia Hübner (largely Old World) together include over half of all macariine species. Twenty-three genera are accepted in the tribe; the identity of two genera remain uncertain. No single character defines the tribe, but diagnostic features include one or more of the following: the presence of enlarged setae ('horns') on the uncus in the male genitalia; a divided valva; and a modified condition of sternum A8 in the male. The taxonomic history of the tribe is reviewed briefly and the problems of previous systems are explained mainly by the regional approach adopted. A diagnosis is presented for each genus. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 134 , 257–315.     

A revision of the assassin spiders of the Eriauchenius gracilicollis group, a clade of spiders endemic to Madagascar (Araneae: Archaeidae)

An endemic group of Malagasy spiders (Araneae: Archaeidae: Eriauchenius ) called the gracilicollis group is revised. The monophyly and phylogenetic relationships of the gracilicollis group are tested based on morphological characters. Archaeid spiders of Madagascar have evolved varying degrees of elongation in the cephalic area. Historically, it was believed that the extremely elongated cephalic area had evolved only once. These morphological data support the monophyly of the gracilicollis group and suggest that the elongated cephalic area has evolved more than once. All 14 species from the gracilicollis group are described and keyed, of which nine are new species: Eriauchenius ambre sp. nov. , Eriauchenius anabohazo sp. nov. , Eriauchenius borimontsina sp. nov. , Eriauchenius griswoldi sp. nov. , Eriauchenius halambohitra sp. nov. , Eriauchenius lavatenda sp. nov. , Eriauchenius namoroka sp. nov. , Eriauchenius spiceri sp. nov. and Eriauchenius voronakely sp. nov . The morphology of the gracilicollis group is examined in detail and figures of the male and female genitalia are presented. The distributions of the gracilicollis group species are presented and discussed and higher species group relationships within the Archaeidae are discussed.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 255–296.     

Chromosomal Analysis of Neohydrocoptus jaechi (Wewalka) and Canthydrus diophthalmus (Reiche & Saulcy) (Coleoptera: Noteridae)

Neohydrocoptus jaechi (Wewalka) is recorded for the first time in Egypt. It is very similar to N. angolensis (Peschet), but there are aedeagal differences. The karyotype consists of 6 pairs of autosomes and sex chromosomes which are neo-XY (♂) and neo-XX (♀). C-banding shows that the sex chromosomes of Canthydrus diophthalmus (Reiche & Saulcy) are not the small pair suggested by Bilton (1992), but are one of the largest pairs, with the Y-chromosome totally heterochromatic. The implications of these findings are considered in the light of Belkaceme's (1991) work on the phylogeny of Noteridae. Neohydrocoptus is placed among the group of more primitive genera, outside the closely-knit group of higher Noteridae, while Canthydrus is placed right at the top of the higher Noteridae. The neo-XY sex chromosomes of Neohydrocoptus could be a primitive condition for the family, while the system found in Canthydrus is derivable from that of Synchortus Sharp (Saleh Ahmed et al., 1997) (one of Belkaceme's basal genera of the higher Noteridae) by loss of the mainly heterochromatic X₂-chromosome, leaving the more normal X₁-chromosome and the Y, which is almost entirely heterochromatic in Synchortus and completely so in Canthydrus.     

Phylogeny and taxonomy of Afrocayratia,a new genus of Vitaceae from continental Africa and Madagascar

The genus Cayratia Juss. in the traditional sense (i.e., Cayratia s.l.) of the grape family has been shown to be non‐monophyletic. Previous studies supported the splitting of Cayratia s.l. into three genera, that is, Cayratia s.s., Causonis Raf., and a new genus representing the African Cayratia clade. However, the morphology of the African Cayratia clade has not been studied carefully and its phylogenetic position within Vitaceae remains unclear. Our study integrates molecular, distributional, and morphological data and supports the recognition of the new genus Afrocayratia from continental Africa and Madagascar. Phylogenetic analyses strongly support the monophyly of Afrocayratia and resolve it as a sister of Cayratia s.s. based on the chloroplast data, but it is placed sister to Cyphostemma based on the internal transcribed spacer dataset. Molecular dating suggests that Afrocayratia split with Cayratia s.s. during the Paleocene, but that the extant species of Afrocayratia did not diversify until the early Miocene. Afrocayratia differs from its allied genera in having short stigmas and seeds with subcircular ventral infold cavities in cross‐section. Three clades are detected within Afrocayratia, with A. debilis (Baker) J.Wen & L.M.Lu as the first diverged lineage. The second diverged lineage includes A. delicatula (Willems) J.Wen & Z.D.Chen and A. gracilis (Guill. & Perr.) J.Wen & Z.D.Chen. The third diverged lineage includes A. imerinensis (Baker) J.Wen & L.M.Lu, A. longiflora (Desc.) J.Wen & Rabarijaona, and A. triternata (Baker) J.Wen & Rabarijaona from Madagascar, which form a monophyletic group that diverged from the second lineage in the middle Miocene. Combining the morphological and molecular evidence, we formally describe the new genus Afrocayratia, make seven new combinations, and provide a key to species of the genus.     

Phylogeny and circumscription of the near-endemic Brazilian tribe Microlicieae (Melastomataceae)

The members of tribe Microlicieae in the flowering plant family Melastomataceae are nearly all endemic to the cerrado biome of Brazil. Traditional classifications of the Melastomataceae have attributed between 15 and 17 genera to the Microlicieae, but subsequent revisions have circumscribed the tribe more narrowly. The monophyly and intergeneric relationships of the Microlicieae were evaluated through phylogenetic analyses with molecular and morphological data sets. Incorporation of DNA sequences from the intron of the chloroplast gene rpl16 into a previously generated family-wide data set yielded a clade comprising Chaetostoma, Lavoisiera, Microlicia, Rhynchanthera, Stenodon, and Trembleya ("core Microlicieae"), with Rhynchanthera as the first-diverging lineage. The other four genera of Microlicieae sampled are placed in other clades: Eriocnema with Miconieae; Siphanthera with Aciotis, Nepsera, and Acisanthera of Melastomeae; Castratella as sister to Monochaetum of Melastomeae; and Cambessedesia as part of an unresolved polytomy in a large clade that includes most Melastomataceae. Analyses of the chloroplast genes rbcL and ndhF that included three core genera produced similar results, as did the combined analysis of all three data sets. Combined parsimony analyses of DNA sequences from rpl16 and the nuclear ribosomal intercistronic transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 22 species of core Microlicieae yielded generally low internal support values. Lavoisiera, recently redefined on the basis of several morphological characters, was strongly supported as monophyletic. A morphological phylogenetic analysis of the Microlicieae based on 10 parsimony-informative characters recovered a monophyletic core Microlicieae but provided no further resolution among genera. Penalized likelihood analysis with two calibration time windows produced an age estimate of 3.7 million years for the time of initial divergence of strictly Brazilian core Microlicieae. This date is in general agreement with the estimated age of the most active stage of development of cerrado vegetation and implies an adaptive shift from hydric to seasonally dry habitats during the early evolution of this group.     

Phylogeny of the Braconinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): A new tribal order!

Generic relationships within the parasitoid wasp subfamily Braconinae are assessed based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis of four gene fragments: mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S rDNA, nuclear 28S D2-D3 rDNA and elongation factor 1-alpha. Our results support the recognition of Aphrastobraconini, Braconini and Coeloidini plus three new tribes: Compsobraconini tribus nov ., Tropobraconini tribus nov . and Virgulibraconini tribus nov . The first of these new tribes is restricted to the New World; the second includes the Old World genera Tropobracon Cameron, Trispinaria Quicke and Grangerbracon Samartsev and Belokobylskij and possibly others, whereas the third comprises the Australian genus Virgulibracon Quicke, plus several other described and undescribed Australian genera. Consistent placement of Amyosoma Viereck with members of the Virgulibraconini tribus nov . is discussed, whereas Amyosoma is left currently unplaced. A preliminary key to tribes is presented, and the characters used to differentiate between Aphrastobraconini and Braconini are revised. Megacoeloides Quicke was never recovered with Coeloides, the type genus of Coeloidini, so it is treated as Braconinae incertae sedis. By combining molecular and morphological traits, nearly all valid genera are assigned to tribes, and the possible relationships of the remainder are discussed. Alienoclypeus Shenefelt, 1978 is synonymised with Atanycolus Förster, 1862 (Atanycolus insolitus (Shenefelt) comb. nov .). Several new genera have been revealed and will be described elsewhere.     

Phylogeny and taxonomy of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae)

Taxonomy of Cinnamomum Schaeff. of Lauraceae remains problematic because recent phylogenetic studies have suggested that this genus is not monophyletic. In this study, we assembled three sequence matrices including plastomes (datamatrix I), nrITS sequences alone (datamatrix II), and nrITS plus plastid psbA‐trnH sequences (datamatrix III) of the Cinnamomum‐Ocotea complex of Lauraceae and conducted a new phylogenetic study with thusfar the most extensive species sampling of the Cinnamomum‐Ocotea group. We determined that the Old World Cinnamomum is diphyletic: sect. Camphora Meisn. is sister to Sassafras J.Presl and sect. Cinnamomum is sister to the African Kuloa Trofimov & Rohwer. A recent study indicated that characters of leaf micromorphological anatomy can define the two clades: one possessing reticulate periclinal and the other having non‐reticulate periclinal walls. As result, we divided the genus Cinnamomum of Lauraceae into two genera, i.e., Cinnamomum and Camphora Fabr. The generic name Cinnamomum is retained for those species mainly having reticulate periclinal epidermal cell walls, inconspicuous non‐perulate terminal buds and usually tripliveined leaves; the oldest generic name, Camphora, is applied to the second group which contains those species mainly possessing non‐reticulate periclinal epidermal cell walls, prominent perulate terminal buds and pinnately‐veined leaves. A census of the species and their type specimens listed under Cinnamomum in Asia resulted in the transfer of 18 species to Camphora, including 15 new combinations.     

A new genus of the tribe Acratini from the continental Neotropical region (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea,Brentidae)

A group of 10 species belonging to the Neotropical tribe Acratini Alonso-Zarazaga, Lyal, Bartolozzi & Sforzi 1999, is shown to be monophyletic by a phylogenetic analysis based on 48 morphological characters. A new genus, Pertusius n. gen., is described, based on three derived characters of external and genital morphology: venter of prorostrum of males with fine median longitudinal carina, base of elytra with deep pit at the place of insertion on mesonotum, and proximal sclerite of endophallus more or less horseshoe-shaped. Eight species were previously known and, according to former authors, belonged to the genera Acratus Lacordaire 1865 [Pertusius apicalis (Sharp 1895), n. comb., P. errabundus (Kleine 1927), n. comb., P. extrarius (Kleine 1927), n. comb., P. fidus (Kleine 1927), n. comb. and P. telesi (Soares & Meyer 1959), n. comb.] and Proteramocerus Kleine 1921 [Pertusius chalcites (Perty 1832), n. comb., P. filum (Sharp 1895), n. comb., and P. laevis (Germar 1824), n. comb.]. Four new synonymies are proposed: Proteramocerus disparilis Soares & Dias 1971, n. syn. for Acratus apicalis Sharp 1895; Teramocerus laevigatus Boheman 1840, n. syn. for Arrhenodes chalcites Perty 1832; Acratus extraordinarius Kleine 1927, n. syn. for Acratus errabundus Kleine 1927; Proteramocerus diringshofeni Soares & Dias 1971, n. syn. for Acratus filum Sharp 1895. Two new species are described: Pertusius guyanensis n. sp. from French Guiana, and P. mexicanus n. sp. from Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula). Pertusius apicalis is newly cited from Bolivia and Peru, P. chalcites from Argentina and Paraguay, P. extrarius from Ecuador, P. fidus from Peru and P. telesi from Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. An identification key to species of the genus is provided.     

Phylogenetic position and revised classification of Acacia s.l. (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) in Africa,including new combinations in Vachellia and Senegalia

Previous phylogenetic studies have indicated that Acacia Miller s.l. is polyphyletic and in need of reclassification. A proposal to conserve the name Acacia for the larger Australian contingent of the genus (formerly subgenus Phyllodineae) resulted in the retypification of the genus with the Australian A. penninervis. However, Acacia s.l. comprises at least four additional distinct clades or genera, some still requiring formal taxonomic transfer of species. These include Vachellia (formerly subgenus Acacia), Senegalia (formerly subgenus Aculeiferum), Acaciella (formerly subgenus Aculeiferum section Filicinae) and Mariosousa (formerly the A. coulteri group). In light of this fragmentation of Acacia s.l., there is a need to assess relationships of the non‐Australian taxa. A molecular phylogenetic study of Acacia s.l and close relatives occurring in Africa was conducted using sequence data from matK/trnK, trnL‐trnF and psbA‐trnH with the aim of determining the placement of the African species in the new generic system. The results reinforce the inevitability of recognizing segregate genera for Acacia s.l. and new combinations for the African species in Senegalia and Vachellia are formalized. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172 , 500–523.