The freshwater zooplankton of Central America and the Caribbean

So far mainly sporadic studies have been made on the freshwater zooplankton of this region. We studied material from Costa Rica, Cuba, Bahamas, El Salvador, Haiti and Trinidad and listed unpublished species data from Jamaica. In all 183 species of Rotifera; 104 of Cladocera; 64 Calanoida and Cyclopoida and a few Ostracoda are known from the region which includes Central America, the Caribbean Islands from the Bahamas to Trinidad and the islands off South America and Central America. Records from individual countries are generally low except for Cuban Cladocera and Copepoda. The total number of Copepoda and Cladocera recorded for the whole regions appears to be reasonably comprehensive. Daphnia is rare or absent from the equatorial regions and it is likely that the low species diversity may be due partly to the lack of a range of habitat types.     

Cuscuta taimensis (Convolvulaceae,Cuscuteae), a new species from South America

A new species of Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae: Cuscuteae) from South America is described, illustrated, and studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. Cuscuta taimensis is similar to Cuscuta racemosa, but differs in having oblong to elliptic calyx lobes and a circumscissile capsule.     

Supplementary notes on American Labiatae. X

Notes on the taxonomy and distribution of various species of Labiatae of Mexico, and Central and South America, are presented, as part of a continuing series of supplements to the authors’ earlier monographs. Eight new species are described in the generaHyptis, Salvia, Satureja, andScutellaria. Two new combinations are made, one each inHarlanlewisia andSatureja. A key and revision are given for the six species ofLepechinia sect.Parviflorae.     

Taxonomy of the genus Aspasia Lindley (Orchidaceae: Oncidieae)

The genusAspasia (Orchidaceae: Oncidieae) consists of five species of epiphytic orchids of Central and South America. The genus is compared with closely related genera of the tribe Oncidieae.Aspasia epidendroides is found in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and western Panama.Aspasia principissa is found in central and eastern Panama and adjacent Colombia.Aspasia psittacina is endemic to western Ecuador.Aspasia variegata is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Surinam, and Brazil.Aspasia lunata is known only from Brazil.     

Two new species of Agalinis (Scrophulariaceae) from South America

The suffruticoseAgalinis chaparensis is a Bolivian species distinguished by its scabrous, ovate leaves and long, glabrous pedicels. The herbaceousAgalinis pennellii from Cuzco, Peru, is distinguished by its erect habit and long-acuminate calyx lobes.     

New and noteworthy South American species of Agalinis (Scrophulariaceae)

Agalinis bandeirensis is a Brazilian species distinguished by linear bracts, short pedicels, and villous stamens.Agalinis ramulifera, from southern Brazil, is distinguished by many, short, leafy branches and small flowers.Agalinis linarioides subsp.rojasi, from Paraguay, is distinguished by paniculate inflorescences, short calyx lobes, and broad corollas.Gerardia bangii, G. digitalis, andG. meyeniana are recognized as species ofAgalinis and appropriate transfers are made.     

Conservation status and protection of three Antillean endemic damselflies

Hypolestes (Odonata, Zygoptera) is a damselfly genus endemic to the Greater Antilles. The genus comprises three species: H. clara from Jamaica, H. trinitatis from Cuba, and H. hatuey from Hispaniola, which are currently evaluated by the IUCN as Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU) and Data Deficient, respectively. Here, we re-assess the conservation status of these species based on their extent of occurrence, as estimated from ecological niche models. In addition, we analyse the coverage offered to each of the three species by the protected areas from Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti. Our results support the maintenance H. trinitatis in the category of VU, and suggest the re-classification of H. hatuey as Near Threatened. The estimated extent of occurrence for H. clara is 6422 km², a value close to the threshold of 5000 km² between VU and EN. Therefore, we recommend keeping H. clara as EN, until new evidence based on population size and trend could support a change from this category to VU. We found that 14 % of the extent of occurrence for H. clara and H. hatuey, and 33 % for H. trinitatis, are within protected areas. However, the ongoing extensive deforestation in Hispaniola, coupled with the lack of protection in Haiti, could cause a decrease of the extent of occurrence of H. hatuey in the future.     

Neotropical nymphoides (Menyanthaceae): Meso-American and west indian species

Studies ofNymphoides (Menyanthaceae) in Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies indicate that three species are present in this region, all of which are members of theNymphoides indica complex. White-flowered plants of Meso-America, the Antilles, and South America traditionally have been referred toN. humboldtiana but are identical to the otherwise Old WorldN. indica and must be called by the latter name. The Mexican and GuatemalanNymphoides fallax, described in this paper, differs fromN. indica in having winged yellow petals with a stipitate basal tuft of hairs, consistently yellow anthers, larger seeds, and higher altitudinal occurrence. Yellow-flowered plants of the Bahamas and Cuba are considered to represent a third species,N. grayana, which resembles plants of southern Brazil and southern Africa in flower color and morphology. However, because of the geographic distribution and unique ultraviolet-light emittance characters ofN. grayana and the still uncertain relationships of the Brazilian and African populations, this third taxon is provisionally retained at the specific level pending further study of those populations.     

The evolution of cultivated potatoes

In the first stages of potato evolution in the northern Andes, diploid cultivated species of theSolanum stenotomum complex were selected, in all probability, from wild progenitors in theS. brevicaule complex. TetraploidSolanum tuberosum ssp.andigena arose by fusion of unreduced gametes of a parent in theS. stenotomum complex with those of an unidentified wild species having actinomorphic calyces. Unreduced male gametes of several diploid species fertilized eggs of ssp. andigena leading to extensive introgression.Solanum tuberosum ssp.tuberosum probably originated from a cross between ssp.andigena as staminate parent and an unidentified wild species which contributed cytoplasmic sterility factors encoded in mitochondria and/or plastids having a distinctive type of DNA. Derivatives of this hybridization, which may have occurred in northwestern Argentina, evolved to ssp. tuberosum in southern Chile and southern Argentina. In the 1570’s ssp.andigena was imported to Europe and spread from there to become a major crop with worldwide distribution. In the 1840's it was essentially eliminated by late blight,Phytophthora infestans.Solanum tuberosum ssp.tuberosum was introduced from Chile into North America and Europe in the late 1800's, and in turn achieved a worldwide distribution, filling the vacated agricultural niche of ssp.andigena. The differences between ssp.andigena and ssp.tuberosum in South America are sufficient that the two could reasonably be considered to be separate species. Since the 1960’s the two taxa have been hybridized often in breeding programs. Neotuberosum, a northern-adapted strain of ssp. andigena, has been selected to mimic ssp.tuberosum. Substitution back-cross products have been produced that have the chromosomal genes of ssp.tuberosum combined with cytoplasmic factors of Andean species. These breeding activities are blurring the distinctions between the two subspecies throughout much of the world, though they remain distinct in their native areas in South America.     

Gaultheria marronina sp. nov. (Ericaceae) from Sichuan,China

Gaultheria marronina, a new species from the Hengduan Mountain chain of western Sichuan Province, China, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to G. bryoides P. W. Fritsch & L. H. Zhou from the Gaoligong Mountains in its white fleshy calyx with a maroon capsule but differs in its stem setae 0.34–0.50 mm long, petioles 0.4–0.6 mm long, leaf blades 5.1–6.2 × 2.1–3.1 mm, overwintering flower bud pedicels 0.6–0.8 mm long, calyx lobes 2.2–3.0 mm long, and usually slightly open fruiting calyx, among other characters. The species is known only from two widely separated unprotected populations and is categorized as endangered.     

A new species of Mosiera (Myrtaceae) from the Sierra de Nipe,Cuba

A new species, Mosiera nipensis (Myrtaceae), from the crest of the Sierra de Nipe, Cuba, is described and illustrated. This species is readily distinguished from all other species of Mosiera by two diagnostic characters: four-angled, slightly four-winged young twigs, and calyx lobes that are valvate in the bud. We suspect that this species grows on a serpentine substrate. It is known only from the holotype, a collection made in 1941. An assessment of its conservation status is urgently needed.     

The classification of the generic segregates of Phrygilanthus (= Notanthera) of the Loranthaceae

The taxonomic composition ofPhrygilanthus has long been a source of confusion. Until recently the genus was considered to be distributed from Mexico, Central and South America, to Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. Analyses of floral morphology, inflorescence structure, life form, fruit type, and especially chromosome numbers indicate thatPhrygilanthus, as classically circumscribed, is a highly heterogeneous and artificial assemblage containing elements now referable to the following ten genera:Cecarria, Desmaria, Gaiadendron, Ligaria, Muellerina, Notanthera, Psittacanthus, Struthanthus, Tripodanthus, andTristerix. Phrygilanthus itself is nomenclaturally illegitimate and must be replaced by Notanthera. A synopsis of the genera segregated from thePhrygilanthus group is included. A key to the New World genera of Loranthaceae is also appended as well as a nomenclator indicating the present generic status of taxa at one time or another assigned toPhrygilanthus. One genus,Cecarria, is described as new; five new combinations are made:Cecarria obtusifolia (Merr.) Barlow,Psittacanthus palmeri (Wats.) Barlow & Wiens,Struthanthus panamensis (Rizzini) Barlow & Wiens,Tristerix aphyllus (DC.) Barlow & Wiens, andTristerix grandiflorus (Ruiz & Pavon) Barlow & Wiens.     

Sesquiterpene lactones in various populations of Parthenium hysterophorus

Samples of 31 populations of Parthenium hyserophorus from varius areas of its world distribution were examined for their sesquiterpene lactone composition. On the basis of the occurrence of sesquiterpene lactones the samples were divided into seven chemical types. The most common is a type represented by plants containing parthenin as a major sesquiterpene lactone, and coronopilin and tetraneurin-A. All samples from North and Central America, Venezuela, South Africa, India, Australia, and one sample from Jamaica belong to this type. This suggests that P. hysterophorus recently introduced to South Africa, India and Australia originates in North and (or) Central America. On the other hand, there is a great diversity among examined South American populations. Plants from these populations usually contain hymenin which is their major sesquiterpene lactone. Some populations may also contain coronopilin, hysterin, and dihydroisoparthenin. A high diversity in the sesquiterpene lactone chemistry and the morphological differences between individual South American populations of this species indicate the possible existence of several taxa.     

Quantitative trait loci for resistance to Maize rayado fino virus

Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV) causes one of the most important virus diseases of maize in regions of Mexico, Central and South America, where it causes moderate to severe yield losses. The virus is found from the southern USA to northern Argentina where its vector, the maize leafhopper Dalbulus maidis, is present. Although resistance to MRFV has been identified in tropical maize lines, little was known about genes or quantitative trait locus (QTL) conferring resistance to MRFV. In order to identify the location of genes conferring resistance to MRFV, two recombinant inbred line mapping populations that segregated for MRFV resistance were inoculated using viruliferous leafhoppers, and their responses to virus inoculation were evaluated under greenhouse conditions 7, 14 and 21 days post inoculation. A QTL explaining up to 23 % of the total phenotypic variance was mapped on chromosome 10 in both populations, with similar genetic and physical positions identified in the two populations. The magnitude of the QTL effect and the validation in two independent populations suggests that resistance to MFRV could be transferred into elite breeding lines to develop resistant cultivars.     

Molecular analysis reveals hidden diversity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zungaro</Emphasis> (Siluriformes: Pimelodidade): a genus of giant South American catfish

The genus Zungaro contains some of the largest catfish in South America. Two valid species are currently recognized: Zungaro jahu, inhabiting the Paraná and Paraguay basins, and Zungaro zungaro, occurring in the Amazonas and Orinoco basins. Analysing Zungaro specimens from the Amazonas, Orinoco, Paraguay and Paraná basins, based on the sequencing of COI and D-loop, we found at least three MOTUs, indicating the existence of hidden diversity within this fish group. Considering the ecological and economic values of this fish, our results are surely welcomed for its conservation, disclosing new findings on its diversity and pointing out the necessity for a detailed taxonomic revision.     

Biosystematic studies of the Rumex acetosella complex V. Cytogeography and morphology in the Czech Socialistic Republic and a part of Lower Austria (Austria)

A cytogeographical and morphological (fruit-types and leaf-shape) study of the crítícal Rumex acetosella aggregate has been made on the basis of 38 population samples, for the most part from the Czech Socialistic Republic. In the genecological respect the populations from Bohemia and those from North and West Moravia fit into the pattern earlier found in West and Central Europe (i.e. they are 6x, mainly angiocarpous, and have non-dissected leaf lobes). Samples from the xerothermic region of South Moravia and parts of Slovakia and adjacent Austria are thought to be related to the Balkan population group (mainly 4x, gymnocarpous and with much dissected—multifid—leaf lobes). Evidence of introgressíve hybridisation from the 4x into the 6x ploidy-level has been found in the region of the well known migration route through the Moravian Gate.     

Two new species of Esterhazya (Scrophulariaceae) from Brazil

Barringer, Kerry (Department of Botany, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL 60605). Two new species of Esterhazya (Scrophulariaceae) from Brazil. Brittonia 37: 195–198. 1985.—Esterhazya petiolata is a distinctive species with ovate, petiolate leaves, spreading brances, and broadly tubular-campanulate flowers. It is known from the Serra Dourada of Goiás. Esterhazya eitenorum has narrow, lanceolate leaves, acute calyx lobes, and purple-pink flowers and is known from the planalto of Mt. Itatiaia.     

Reflechi twòp—Thinking Too Much: Description of a Cultural Syndrome in Haiti’s Central Plateau

A rich Haitian ethnopsychology has been described, detailing concepts of personhood, explanatory models of illness, and links between mind and body. However, little research has engaged explicitly with mental illness, and that which does focuses on the Kreyòl term fou (madness), a term that psychiatrists associate with schizophrenia and other psychoses. More work is needed to characterize potential forms of mild-to-moderate mental illness. Idioms of distress provide a promising avenue for exploring common mental disorders. Working in Haiti’s Central Plateau, we aimed to identify idioms of distress that represent cultural syndromes. We used ethnographic and epidemiologic methods to explore the idiom of distress reflechi twòp (thinking too much). This syndrome is characterized by troubled rumination at the intersection of sadness, severe mental disorder, suicide, and social and structural hardship. Persons with “thinking too much” have greater scores on the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory. “Thinking too much” is associated with 8 times greater odds of suicidal ideation. Untreated “thinking too much” is sometimes perceived to lead to psychosis. Recognizing and understanding “thinking too much” may allow early clinical recognition and interventions to reduce long-term psychosocial suffering in Haiti’s Central Plateau.     

Index to collectors of the piperaceae represented in the T. G. Yuncker Herbarium of DePauw University

In 1987 the New York Botanical Garden (NY) purchased the T. G. Yuncker Herbarium of DePauw University (DPU), which contains T. G. Yuncker’s collections of Piperaceae from the Pacific, South America, and Central America. An index to the collectors of the Piperaceae is presented. These collections have been incorporated into the New York Botanical Garden Herbarium and are available for study.     

A synopsis of Jacquinia (Theophrastaceae) in the Antilles and South America

Stål, B. 1995. A synopsis of Jacquinia (Theophrastaceae) in the Antilles and South America. — Nord. J. Bot. 15: 493–511. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.
The genus Jacquinia in the Antilles and South America is revised. Twenty-two native and one introduced species are recognised. In the Greater Antilles, 11 species (six endemic) occur in Cuba, eight in Hispaniola (two endemic), five in Jamaica (two endemic), and four in Puerto Rico (none endemic). Two species (none endemic) occur in the Lesser Antilles and five (four endemic) in South America. Eighteen species are native to the Antilles and of these one, J. arborea , is shared with Central America and one, J. amzillaris , is shared with South America. No species is shared between South and Central America. One new combination, J. frutescens , is made. Several species are illustrated and distribution maps for all species are presented. A key to the species in the Antilles and South America and an index to all combinations published in Jacquinia are provided.