A new concept of the generic composition of the geometrid moth tribe Ennomini (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) based on functional morphology of the male genitalia

Two unique apomorphies in the skeleto-muscular apparatus of the male genitalia in a series of genera of the subfamily Ennominae have been discovered: (1) a more or less broad membranous area on the ventral side of the vinculum, partly or completely dividing this sclerite along the sagittal plane, and (2) the paired muscle m ₃ attached distally to the medial invagination of the basal portion of the juxta. Such a structure provides resilient flexion of the ventral portion of the vinculum in the sagittal plane as the valvae are abducted by contraction of muscle m ₃. Based on these apomorphies and taking into account the general morphological pattern in the Ennominae, a new generic composition of the tribe Ennomini including 148 valid genera is proposed. A new diagnosis for Ennomini as a monophyletic group is given, with the following synonymy of the family group names established: Ennomini sensu novo = Urapteridae, syn. n.; = Odopteridi; = Emplocidae, syn. n.; = Oxydiidae, syn. n.; = Pantheridae, syn. n.; = Nephodiinae, syn. n.; = Leuculinae, syn. n.; = Cingiliini, syn. n. The musculature of the male genitalia in Ennomos infidelis and Ourapteryx koreana is described for the first time and that of Tristrophis veneris is revised. The American origin of the tribe Ennomini is hypothesized. The mainly Palaearctic tribe Prosopolophini is regarded as a probable sister group of Ennomini sensu novo.     

Phylogenetic position of the genus Ferula (Apiaceae) and its placement in tribe Scandiceae as inferred from nrDNA ITS sequence variation

Recent molecular systematic investigations suggested that Ferula, an umbellifer genus of about 170 species, is polyphyletic, with its members placed in the apioid superclade and within tribe Scandiceae. We analyzed ITS sequence variation from 134 accessions of Apiaceae, including 83 accessions (74 species) of Ferula to ascertain the phylogenetic position of the genus within the family. Phylogenetic analyses of these data using maximum parsimony, Bayesian, and neighbor-joining methods support the monophyly of Ferula upon the addition of Dorema and Leutea (as Ferula sensu lato) and its placement in tribe Scandiceae. Ferula sensu is closely allied with other major lineages of Scandiceae, corresponding to subtribes Scandicinae, Daucinae, and Torilidinae. Therefore, we recognize the Ferula clade as subtribe Ferulinae. Another addition to tribe Scandiceae is a clade composed of genera Glaucosciadium and Mozaffariania. The three accessions of Ferula misplaced in the apioid superclade represent a species of Silaum.     

CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN THE PHASEOLEAE (FABACEAE:FABOIDEAE) AND THEIR RELATION TO TAXONOMY

Chromosome numbers are reported for 33 species of the tribe Phaseoleae. Six reports are first counts for their species; one report (Ophrestia hedysaroides) is a first count for the genus. This increases the number of genera counted to 53 out of a total 84 for the tribe. A survey of base numbers shows a general pattern of numbers 10 or 11, the same base numbers as in the neighboring tribes Dalbergieae sensu lato, Galegeae sensu lato, and Abreae. The chromosomes are generally small and polyploidy is uncommon. Deviations from base numbers 10 or 11 are mostly found in those genera with morphological pecularities and puzzling taxonomic placements: Erythrina (21), Clitoria (8, 11, 12), Butea (9), Calopogonium (18), Teramnus (14), and Strongylodon (14). Two genera have base numbers which suggest derivation by polyploidy: Glycine (20) and Cologania (22).     

The tropical African legume Scorodophloeus clade includes two undescribed Hymenostegia segregate genera and Micklethwaitia,a rare,monospecific genus from Mozambique

Legume subfamily Caesalpinioideae accommodates approximately 2250 species in 171 genera which traditionally are placed in four tribes: Caesalpinieae, Cassieae, Cercideae and Detarieae. The monophyletic tribe Detarieae includes the Amherstieae subclade which contains about 55 genera. Our knowledge of the relationships among those genera is good in some cases but for many other genera phylogenetic relationships have been unclear. The non-monophyletic nature of at least two amherstioid genera, Cynometra and Hymenostegia has also complicated the picture. During the course of a multi-disciplinary study of Hymenostegia sensu lato, which includes phylogenetic analyses based on matK and trnL data, we have recovered the “Scorodophloeus clade”, an exclusively tropical African clade of four genera which includes the eponymous genus Scorodophloeus, two undescribed generic segregates of Hymenostegia sensu lato, and the previously unsampled rare monospecific genus Micklethwaitia from Mozambique. Zenkerella is suggested as a possible sister genus to the Scorodophloeus clade. A distribution map is presented of the seven species that belong to the Scorodophloeus clade.     

Pollen morphology and evolution in the genus Orobanche L. s.l. and its allied genera (Orobancheae/Orobanchaceae) in Turkey

The pollen morphology of 120 samples of the tribe Orobancheae, representing four genera and 40 species of Cistanche, Diphelypaea, Orobanche and Phelipanche native to Turkey, has been studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen of the tribe Orobancheae is typically isopolar, radially asymmetrical, oblate spheroidal or prolate and belongs to one of the following basic pollen types: inaperturate, tricolpate and syncolpate. Also, pollen heteromorphism is widespread among pest species of Orobanche and Phelipanche. Pollen characters display considerable variation among genera and species, but some characters are significant at the levels of genera and sections. The results of the SEM study show that there are various exine ornamentation types in these genera. The obtained results support the division of the traditionally circumscribed genus Orobanche sensu lato into two genera, Phelipanche and Orobanche. The pollen morphological features are discussed on the basis of molecular phylogeny of the taxa.     

Phylogenetic relationships in Peniocereus (Cactaceae) inferred from plastid DNA sequence data

The phylogenetic relationships of Peniocereus (Cactaceae) species were studied using parsimony analyses of DNA sequence data. The plastid rpl16 and trnL-F regions were sequenced for 98 taxa including 17 species of Peniocereus, representatives from all genera of tribe Pachycereeae, four genera of tribe Hylocereeae, as well as from three additional outgroup genera of tribes Calymmantheae, Notocacteae, and Trichocereeae. Phylogenetic analyses support neither the monophyly of Peniocereus as currently circumscribed, nor the monophyly of tribe Pachycereeae since species of Peniocereus subgenus Pseudoacanthocereus are embedded within tribe Hylocereeae. Furthermore, these results show that the eight species of Peniocereus subgenus Peniocereus (Peniocereus sensu stricto) form a well-supported clade within subtribe Pachycereinae; P. serpentinus is also a member of this subtribe, but is sister to Bergerocactus. Moreover, Nyctocereus should be resurrected as a monotypic genus. Species of Peniocereus subgenus Pseudoacanthocereus are positioned among species of Acanthocereus within tribe Hylocereeae, indicating that they may be better classified within that genus. A number of morphological and anatomical characters, especially related to the presence or absence of dimorphic branches, are discussed to support these relationships.     

Cryptohelops menaticus – a new genus and species of the tribe Helopini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from the Palaeocene of Menat (France)

A new genus and species, Cryptohelops menaticus gen. et sp. n., are described from the Palaeocene of Menat (France). The new genus belongs to the subtribe Helopina of the tribe Helopini (subfamily Tenebrioninae of Tenebrionidae) based on the coarse and dense punctation of the hypomera, shape of the prosternum and metepisterna, a similar appearance to the native genera Helops and Stenohelops and the structure of the epipleura. The new genus also resembles Raiboscelis and Entomogonus by having the protibiae excised along the base of the inner side. The new genus is the oldest representative of the tribe Helopini. Four species of Helops sensu lato previously described from the Oligocene (H. wetteravicus K. Heyden et L. Heyden, 1865) and Miocene (H. atticus Redtenbacher in Ungern, 1867; H. meissneri Heer, 1847 and H. molassicus Heer, 1883) lack important diagnostic characters and should be regarded as members of the tribe Helopini with uncertain generic attribution.     

Phylogenetic placement of the austral rove beetle genus Hyperomma triggers changes in classification of Paederinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Sister‐group relationships are resolved for the systematically and biogeographically puzzling austral rove beetle genus Hyperomma by means of phylogenetic analysis of five gene markers (one mitochondrial and four nuclear protein‐coding) for 25 taxa broadly representing the subfamily Paederinae, and six outgroup taxa from Staphylininae and Pseudopsinae. As a result, the new subtribe Dicaxina subtrib. nov. is established for Hyperomma and five other Southern Hemisphere genera previously classified in Cryptobiina. Based on the molecular phylogeny and the discussion of several adult and larval morphological characters, the concept of the tribe Paederini is changed as follows: Paederini sensu novo is reduced to include Paederina, Cryptobiina, Dolicaonina and Dicaxina only, while Lathrobiini sensu novo is established for Lathrobiina, Scopaeina, Astenina, Stilicopsina, Medonina, Stilicina and Echiasterina. The tribe Cylindroxystini stat. resurr. is reinstated for the Paederini subtribe Cylindroxystina because of its very peculiar morphology not fitting either Paederini or Lathrobiini in new sense. The tribe Pinophilini was resolved as sister to Lathrobiini sensu novo, and its status remains unchanged. Morphological diagnoses and other relevant systematic information are provided for all newly established taxa. The taxonomic history of the higher‐level systematics of the subfamily Paederinae is summarized.     

Chemotaxonomic characterization and chemical similarity of tribes/genera of the Solanoideae subfamily (Solanaceae) based on occurrence of withanolides

Withanolides are well established as chemotaxonomic markers in the Solanaceae. A large number of withanolides have been isolated from the subfamily Solanoideae (Solanaceae). A database of the occurrences of withanolides in Solanoideae was compiled to help characterize the chemical profile and verify the chemical similarity of the tribes/genera of this subfamily. The study revealed the importance of this group of compounds as chemotaxonomic markers, especially for Physaleae, Deprea, and Jaborosa, ratifying the importance of chemotaxonomy as a tool for elucidation of taxonomic problems, such as undefined relationships of genera that are not yet included in tribes of Solanoideae.     

The phylogeny and taxonomy of genera Cystoderma and Cystodermella (Agaricales) based on nuclear ITS and LSU sequences

Species delimitation in Cystoderma and Cystodermella was evaluated based on ITS and LSU rDNA sequences as well as morphological data. Two species of Cystoderma are synonymised with C. carcharias and three species with C. jasonis, distinguishing the synonymised taxa as varieties of these accepted species. Analyses of partial LSU rDNA sequences revealed Cystoderma and Cystodermella as distinct monophyletic genera, with Ripartitella representing a well-supported sister group of the latter. Phaeolepiota aurea represents either an unsupported sister group or member of Cystoderma in the phylogenies based on LSU and ITS sequences rDNA data, respectively. The tribe Cystodermateae sensu Singer did not appear monophyletic according to analyses of LSU sequences. On the basis of these data, the phylogenetic relationships among most of the analyzed genera could not be resolved unequivocally.     

Phylogeny of Celastraceae tribe Euonymeae inferred from morphological characters and nuclear and plastid genes

The phylogeny of Celastraceae tribe Euonymeae (∼230 species in eight genera in both the Old and New Worlds) was inferred using morphological characters together with plastid (matK, trnL-F) and nuclear (ITS and 26S rDNA) genes. Tribe Euonymeae has been defined as those genera of Celastraceae with generally opposite leaves, isomerous carpels, loculicidally dehiscent capsules, and arillate seeds (except Microtropis). Euonymus is the most diverse (129 species) and widely cultivated genus in the tribe. We infer that tribe Euonymeae consists of at least six separate lineages within Celastraceae and that a revised natural classification of the family is needed. Microtropis and Quetzalia are inferred to be distinct sister groups that together are sister to Zinowiewia. The endangered Monimopetalum chinense is an isolated and early derived lineage of Celastraceae that represents an important component of phylogenetic diversity within the family. Hedraianthera is sister to Brassiantha, and we describe a second species (Brassiantha hedraiantheroides A.J. Ford) that represents the first reported occurrence of this genus in Australia. Euonymus globularis, from eastern Australia, is sister to Menepetalum, which is endemic to New Caledonia, and we erect a new genus (Dinghoua R.H. Archer) for it. The Madagascan species of Euonymus are sister to Pleurostylia and recognized as a distinct genus (Astrocassine ined.). Glyptopetalum, Torralbasia, and Xylonymus are all closely related to Euonymus sensu stricto and are questionably distinct from it. Current intrageneric classifications of Euonymus are not completely natural and require revision.     

Towards a species level tree of the globally diverse genus Chenopodium (Chenopodiaceae)

Chenopodium is a large and morphologically variable genus of annual and perennial herbs with an almost global distribution. All subgenera and most sections of Chenopodium were sampled along with other genera of Chenopodieae, Atripliceae and Axyrideae across the subfamily Chenopodioideae (Chenopodiaceae), totalling to 140 taxa. Using Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of the non-coding trnL-F (cpDNA) and nuclear ITS regions, we provide a comprehensive picture of relationships of Chenopodium sensu lato. The genus as broadly classified is highly paraphyletic within Chenopodioideae, consisting of five major clades. Compared to previous studies, the tribe Dysphanieae with three genera Dysphania, Teloxys and Suckleya (comprising the aromatic species of Chenopodium s.l.) is now shown to form one of the early branches in the tree of Chenopodioideae. We further recognize the tribe Spinacieae to include Spinacia, several species of Chenopodium, and the genera Monolepis and Scleroblitum. The Chenopodium rubrum and the Ch. murale-clades were newly discovered as distinct major lineages but their relationships within Chenopodioideae will need further evaluation. Based on our results, we suggest the delimitation of Chenopodium to include Einadia and Rhagodia because these are part of the crown group composed of species of subg. Chenopodium that appear sister to the Atripliceae. The tetraploid crops such as Ch. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae and Ch. quinoa also belong to Chenopodium sensu stricto. Trees derived from trnL-F and ITS were incongruent within this shallow crown group clade. Possible biological causes are discussed, including allopolyploidization.     

Systématique du groupe « Palaeochelys sensu lato – Mauremys » (Chelonii,Testudinoidea) du Tertiaire d’Europe occidentale : principaux résultats

Among fossil chelonians from the Tertiary of Western Europe, freshwater Testudinoidea (sensu Hirayama, 1985, Gaffney et Meylan, 1988) are abundant, and more particularly the “Palaeochelys sensu lato—Mauremys” group. This group has never been studied as a whole. Taxa of this group were before referred to extinct genera such as Ocadia, Clemmys, Emys or to the fossil genera Palaeochelys, Borkenia and Palaeoemys. These taxa are redefined, new taxa are described and a hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships is given.     

Relationship between subfamilies,tribes and genera in iridaceae inferred from chemical characters

Free amino acids and γ-glutamyl peptides have been examined in 22 species of Iridaceae. 3-(3′-Carboxyphenyl)alanine and 3′-carboxyphenylglycine, previously known from the tribes Irideae and Tigridideae in the subfamily Iridodeae have been identified also in the tribe Mariceae of Iridoideae and the genera Bobartia, Orthrosanthus and Libertia of the subfamily Sisyrinchioideae. γ-Glutamyl peptides, previously known from the tribe Irideae, have been found also in the tribe Mariceae, both tribes being from subfamily Iridoideae. γ-Glutamyl-S-methylcysteine, γ-glutamylmethionine and the corresponding sulphoxides are the dominating γ-glutamyl peptides in the genera Dietes, Gynandriris, Moraea (tribe Irideae), Neomarica and Trimezia (tribe Mariceae), whereas γ-glutamyl peptides with non-sulphur amino acids are predominant in genera Ferraria, Hermodactylus, Homeria, Iris, Iridodyctyum and Xiphium (tribe Irideae). Dietes robisoniana, endemic to Lord Howe Island, has the same technical characters as other Dietes species from Southern Africa. The results are discussed in relation to botanical classification of and within the subfamilies Iridoideae and Sisyrinchoideae.     

Phylogenetic Relationships and Evolution of the Androecia in Ruteae (Rutaceae)

Ruta, which belongs to tribe Ruteae, is the type genus of the subfamily Rutoideae and the family Rutaceae. Molecular systematic studies have shown that the genera in Ruteae are closer related to Aurantioideae than to most other genera of Rutoideae, some of the genera traditionally placed in Ruteae have been shown to be nested within the Aurantioideae clade, but the diagnostic characters for determining new patterns in the relationship are poor. In this study, we investigated the floral development of Boenninghausenia in Ruteae (sensu stricto), Haplophyllum in the basal position of Aurantioideae and Murraya in traditional Aurantioideae using scanning electron microscopy. The androecium of Boenninghausenia is obdiplostemony. As androecia in other genera within Ruteae (s.s.) are also obdiplostemonous, reconstruction of the ancestral state indicates that obdiplostemony is an ancestral character in this clade. Because the androecia of Haplophyllum and Murraya are also obdiplostemonous, obdiplostemony is also an ancestral character in Aurantioideae clade. The ancestral state reconstruction indicates this character can serve as a synapomorphy of the Ruteae-Aurantioideae clade. The results of our work also shed light on the evolution of the androecium in Rutaceae, as the obdiplostemony of this group is clearly derived from haplostemony in the ancestral genera in Rutaceae and has develop into polyandry by increasing antepetalous stamens.     

The systematic value of flower structure in Crotalaria and related genera of the tribe Crotalarieae (Fabaceae)

Flowers in the tribe Crotalarieae of the family Fabaceae are generally adapted to bee pollination mechanisms. Molecular systematics have recently provided a major step towards a profound insight into generic relationships, thereby creating the opportunity to re-evaluate the taxonomic and functional significance of flower structure in the tribe, with emphasis on the large genus Crotalaria. A representative sample of flowers from 211 species was dissected to record morphological character states. These data were supplemented from the literature to allow for generalizations for the tribe as a whole. Six structural–functional flower types were identified: (1) pump; (2) gullet; (3) hugging; (4) saddle; (5) tunnel and (6) brush (saddle and tunnel types described here for the first time). Crotalaria uniquely has the brush type, characterized by a rostrate keel, highly dimorphic anthers, stylar trichomes and elaborate callosities on the standard petal. Remarkably, Crotalaria and Bolusia are the only genera of the tribe Crotalarieae with callosities present in all of the species. In other genera, callosities are generally absent or infrequent. Trends towards specialization of pollination syndromes are apparent as assemblages of apomorphic states that co-occur in what we refer to here as “specialized flowers”; individual characters are labile or non-homologous (e.g. callosities) and diagnostically less valuable. Unique combinations of flower characters are often useful to support current generic concepts in Crotalarieae.     

Review of the Neotropical Isertieae (Rubiaceae)

All neotropical genera previously included in the tribe Isertieae A. Rich. ex DC. are considered. The tribe Isertieae is here delimited by the following characters: absence of rhaphides, valvate aestivation of the corolla, cordiform or discoid placenta, fleshy indehiscent fruit, and seed coat cells with pitted walls. As so delimited, the tribe definitely includes the neotropical generaIsertia Schreb.,Gonzalagunia Ruiz & Pav.,Amphidasya Standl.,Raritebe Wernh.,Sabicea Aubl., andMussaenda L. as well as some paleotropical genera not here considered. The following neotropical genera are excluded from tribe Isertieae:Hippotis Ruiz & Pav.,Pentagonia Benth.,Sommera Schlecht.,Tammsia Karst.,Coccocypselum P. Browne,Schradera Vahl,Didymochlamys Hook, f., andXerococcus Oerst. The position of four genera,Striolaria Ducke,Patima Aubl.,Habroneuron Standl., andNeosabicea Wernh., remains uncertain due to a lack of material.     

Molecular phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the Philippine endemic Villaria Rolfe (Rubiaceae)

The little known Rubiaceae genus Villaria is endemic mostly to the coastal forests of the Philippines. Traditionally, it has been placed in the tribe Gardenieae. Later it was transferred to Octotropideae sensu Robbrecht and Puff. Villaria was placed among the ??primitive?? genera of the tribe, which are essentially characterized by large fruits, horizontal ovules and numerous seeds. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses of the combined plastid (rps16 and trnT-F) dataset strongly support the inclusion of Villaria in Octotropideae as well as monophyly of the genus. However, our molecular results do not conform to the current informal groups of the tribe delimited by fruit size, ovule position, number of seeds and exotesta thickenings. Instead, a close relationship between Villaria and two ??central genera?? (Hypobathrum and Pouchetia) is revealed for the first time. This clade is sister to a group comprising ??primitive?? (Fernelia), ??advanced?? (Kraussia and Polysphaeria) and ??central?? (Feretia) representatives. In addition, our combined tree strongly supports a sister taxa relationship between Canephora and Paragenipa. Villaria is characterized by unilocular ovaries, parietal placentation and strictly horizontal ovules. These features are unique within the Octotropideae. We recognize a total of five Villaria species, one new species (V. leytensis) is described here, and two species (V. philippinensis and V. rolfei) are transferred into synonymy with V. odorata. Each species is fully described, and a key to the species, a distribution map and illustrations are provided.