Festuca pallens host,a new species of the Italian flora in the central Apennines. Ecological and phytosociological considerations

Abstract

In this paper, evidence for the presence of Festuca pallens Host in Italy is presented for the first time. This species is typical of the submontane and lower montane belt of the Gran Sasso d'Italia, a limestone massif of the Apennine chain (central Italy). In the Apennines this species occurs where subcontinental bioclimatic conditions and very shallow and subalcaline soils with abundance of calcareous debris prevail. From a phytosociological point of view, Festuca pallens seems to mainly characterise chamefitic Bromus erectus or Stipa capillata communities belonging to the xerophitic fringe of the Brometalia erecti grasslands.     

A new species of Festuca L.from Spain

A new species of Festuca (Festuca rivas-martinezii de la Fuente & Ortúñez) is described from the Sierra de Ayllón, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos and associated chains (northcentral Spain: provinces of Avila, Guadalajara, Madrid and Segovia. Some morphological, anatomical and cytological characters of the taxon are presented.     

Novelties in the Festuca valesiaca group (Poaceae) from the central Alps

Due to their ploidy levels, their morphological and anatomical characters and their distribution the central alpine Festuca stricta subsp. bauzanina (2n = 8x = 56) and Festuca ovina var. guinochetii (2n = 10x = 70), both belonging to the Festuca valesiaca group, are raised to the specific level. As a new subspecies Festuca bauzanina subsp. rhaetica is described here. The taxa of the polyploid Festuca valesiaca group are morphologically, anatomically and chorologically characterised and an identification key for these taxa in the central Alps is presented.     

Anchusa formosa (Boraginaceae), a new species from Southern Sardinia (Italy)

ABSTRACT

A new Anchusa species was discovered in the massif of Mt. Lattias in South-Western Sardinia. This species, here described as A. formosa, shows a sharp phenotypic differentiation from the other Sardinian endemic taxa of Anchusa, especially in habit, leaf shape and size, inflorescence and calyx morphology. Ecological traits are also peculiar, the plant being restricted to siliceous debris that accumulates in small depositional areas of dry stream beds. A. formosa is likely to represent a paleogenic schizoendemism originated through isolation and genetic drift from the same genie pool of the other Corso-Sardinian endemic taxa of Anchusa. SEM analyses provide additional information on the micromorphology of the stigma and its papillar pattern, pollen grains, mericarp coat surface and trichomes. The anatomical structure of stem, root and leaf were also analysed. Due to its extreme localization and ecological specialization, A. formosa needs total protection in its natural habitat and should be added to National and International Red Lists of plants at risk of extinction.     

Stipa valdemonensis (Poaceae), a new species from Sicily

Abstract

A new species of Stipa, endemic to Sicily, named Stipa valdemonensis is described here. The new taxon is related to Stipa crassiculmis. Owing to the small number of individuals observed, in few restricted localities only, it is assigned the IUCN threat status “vulnerable”.     

The vegetation of alpine belt karst-tectonic basins in the central Apennines (Italy)

Abstract

The vegetation communities of the karst-tectonic basins of the Majella massif alpine belt were studied using the phytosociological methods, and analysed from coenological, synchorological and syntaxonomical viewpoints. During the field-work, 115 relevés were performed using the phytosociological approach of Braun-Blanquet, and these relevés were further subjected to multivariate analyses. Eight clusters of relevés resulted from the numerical classification. The plant communities identified in the study area were ascribed to the following five associations, two sub-associations and one community type: Leontopodio – Seslerietum juncifoliae (ass. nova); Helianthemo – Festucetum italicae (ass. nova); Gnaphalio – Plantaginetum atratae; Taraxaco – Trifolietum thalii gnaphalietosum magellensis (subass. nova); Luzulo italicae – Nardetum, Carici – Salicetum retusae; Saxifrago – Papaveretum julici, Saxifrago – Papaveretum androsacetosum (subass. nova), Plantago atrata and Leontodon montanus community. The distribution of these communities within the karst basins was found to be related to variations in topographic and geomorphological parameters, such as altitude, slope, soil availability and stoniness. All the new associations proposed in this paper belong to the suballiance Leontopodio – Elynenion and to the alliance Seslerion apenninae, both of which are endemic to the central Apennines. In order to compare the plant community types identified within the Majella massif to similar associations found in the rest of the Apennine chain, synoptic tables were constructed. Finally, a comparative phytogeographical analysis of the alpine belt vegetation of the Apennines, Dinarides, southern Balkans and eastern Alps is presented.     

Aulonemia yanachagensis (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae): A new species from central Peru

Aulonemia yanachagensis is described from cloud forests at 2600–3000 m elevation in the Parque Nacional Yanachaga-Chemillén Prov. Oxapampa, Dept. Pasco, Peru. It differs from all other congeners in its combination of prominent sheath auricles, with abundant radiate fimbriae, small foliage leaf blades, and awnless spikelets.     

Relationships between plant communities and late snow melting on Mount Prado (Northern Apennines,Italy)

Relationships between the spatial and temporal distribution of long-lasting snow-cover and the spatial distribution of plant communities above timberline were studied on Mount Prado (2054 m), a representative sample area of the summit vegetation of the Northern Apennines (Italy). The spatial analysis was carried out by creating a geographic information system. Vegetation map and two snow-cover maps were both georeferenced to a scale 1 : 2000. The vegetation map is formed by 28 plant communities (including 7 combinations of communities, or vegetation mosaics) distributed into 277 map polygons. The maps were compared by an overlay procedure. The results show that the six plant communities (including three mosaics) which have a June snow-cover higher than 60% are diversified by a snow-melting gradient from early June to mid-July. The slowest snow melt corresponds to a snow-bed community (Salicetum herbaceae) and to a mesophytic grassland (Trifolium thalii-Festuca puccinellii community, Luzula alpino-pilosa variant).     

A new rhizomatous Oryza species (Poaceae) from Sri Lanka

VAUGHAN, D. A., 1990. A new rhizomatous Oryza species (Poaceae) from Sri Lanka. The confusing taxonomy of the Sri Lankan Oryza officinalis complex is clarified with the recognition of a new rhizomatous species, Oryza rhizomatis Vaughan. This species has been found across the dry zone. The other species of the complex in Sri Lanka, O. eichingeri , occurs in moist habitats and is smaller and less common than 0. rhizomatis. The new species is described.     

Festuca austrodolomitica,a new species of theF. halleri group (Poaceae) from the SE Alps

The new species belongs toFestuca halleri agg. (F. ovina s. latiss.) and is diploid. Its habitat are alpine snow bed communities (Arabidetalia caeruleae) of the southern Alps, between the Brenta and Mt Cadria in the W and Mt Cavallo near Belluno in the E. Morphological, anatomical, epidermal, and ecological comparisons with related species suggest that it is closest to the vicariousF. rupicaprina in the N Alps.     

Vertebrate-rich Plattenkalk of Pietraroia (Lower Cretaceous,Southern Apennines,Italy): a new model

The Lower Cretaceous Pietraroia Plattenkalk is a fossiliferous, fine-grained cherty limestone from the Matese Mountains – Southern Apennines, Italy. The deposits are well known for the exceptional state of vertebrate fossil preservation. First considered as shallow lagoonal deposits or as intra-platform basin-fill, the Pietraroia Plattenkalk sequences are here interpreted as abandon deposits of a submarine channel (Pietraroia Channel) documenting a major transgressive event. Transgression was associated with the development of suboxic to anoxic conditions at the seafloor which favoured the preservation of fossils, as well as the deposition of coprolith-rich and bituminous layers. A peculiar paleogeographic and paleotopographic setting, which was strongly controlled by local tectonic, experienced the contiguity of wide emerged areas with a relatively deep-water channelised area where fossiliferous Plattenkalk sequences were deposited.     

A new Spanish species of Linaria Miller (Scrophulariaceae)

Linaria arabiniana sp. nov. is described from coastal sand dunes of a very reduced area in Alicante Province (south-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula). It is a perennial herb characterized by its 3–4-verticillate leaves, glabrous stems, large violet or rarely yellow flowers, and bicoloured usually flat seeds. Morphological characteristics and taxonomic affinities of this taxon are discussed, as are data on its ecology, phytosociology, and eventual conservation features.     

A new species and new record of the leafhopper genus Seriana Dworakowska (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae) from China

Seriana menglaensissp. n. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Erythroneurini) is described and illustrated from Southwest China. Seriana equata (Singh, 1969) is recorded for the first time from China.     

A new genus, two new species and a new record of subfamily Cecidophyinae (Acari, Eriophyidae) from China

A new genus and two new species belonging to subfamily Cecidophyinae, namely Kyllocarus reticulatusgen.n., sp. n. infesting Lithocarpus brevicaudatus (Skan) Hay. (Fagaceae) and Gammaphytoptus schimaesp. n.infesting Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. (Theaceae) are described and illustrated. Both new species are vagrants on their respective host plants. Cecidophyes digephyrusKeifer, 1966 is newly recorded for China.     

A new species of Vella L. (Brassicaceae) from the south-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula

CRESPO, MB., 1992. A new species of Vella L. (Brassicaceae) from the south-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula . Vella lucenlina is described from the coastal, low, dry areas of Alicante Province (south-eastern Spain). This plant is a spineless shrub, woody at the base, with narrowly linear, entire leaves, and an acute tongue-shaped stylar part of the fruit. Affinities and differences with the other taxa in the genus are discussed, and ecological data and conservation proposals are reported.     

中国菊科植物上的柄锈菌属一新种和一新记录(英文)

报道了中国菊科植物上柄锈菌属1新种和1新记录变种。拐轴鸦葱Scorzonera divaricata上的苏尼特柄锈菌Puccinia sonidensis为新种;猫儿菊Hypochaeris ciliata上的山柳菊柄锈菌猫儿菊变种Puccinia hieracii var.hypochaeridis为中国新记录。提供了详细的形态描述和线条图。研究标本保存在赤峰学院菌物标本室(CFSZ)和中国科学院菌物标本馆(HMAS)。     

First record of Isocapnia (Plecoptera: Capniidae) from China with description of a new species

Summary

The winter stonefly genus Isocapnia Banks, 1938??? is mainly distributed in western North America and eastern Asia, but has never been reported from China. In this paper, we report, describe and illustrate a new species of this genus, I. anguis n. sp. from Sichuan Province of China. This is the first record for the genus Isocapnia from China, extending the distribution of Isocapnia into the southwestern China. An identification key to all the Isocapnia species from Asia is provided.???     

Hieracium busambarense,a new species of the sect. Grovesiana (Asteraceae) from Sicily (Italy)

Hieracium busambarense (Asteraceae), a new species from calcareous-dolomite cliffs of Rocca Busambra (western Sicily, Italy) is described and illustrated here.     

First record of the woodwasp family Xiphydriidae from Tasmania with a description of a new species and host record

Rhysacephala warraensis Jennings & Austin, sp. nov., (Hymenoptera: Xiphydriidae), is described, being the first record of a xiphydriid woodwasp from Tasmania. Four females were reared from 'horizontal', Anodopetalum biglandulosum (Cunoniaceae), the first confirmed host record for an Australian xiphydriid.