Karyotaxonomic study of some species ofPeucedanum (Umbelliferae)

A study of morphometric karyotype characters was carried out in 14 species ofPeucedanum s. lat. (Umbelliferae — Apioideae) and in one species of the related genusLomatium. The differences of the species in their karyotype characters are correlated only to a limited degree with their similarities of dissimilarities in morphological (i. a. carpological) characters, and thus with their taxonomic position. The evolution of these two sets of characters seems to have proceeded not synchronously or even in different directions in the group of platycarpousUmbelliferae united in the genusPeucedanum. Therefore, it is unlikely that morphometric chromosome characters revealed by monochrome staining can be used appropriately in the taxonomic revision of the polymorphous genusPeucedanum.     

Systematic study of the genusDelilia (Asteraceae,Heliantheae)

A taxonomic study of the genusDelilia is presented. Two species are recognized:D. biflora, a widespread weed of tropical and subtropical regions of the New World, extending from Mexico to northern Argentina and recently introduced in the Cape Verde Islands; andD. repens, endemic to the Galapagos islands. A key to the species, illustrations, distribution maps, and complete synonymy are presented.     

The history of the genusHomo

The genusHomo was established by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758. During the course of the past 150 years, the addition of fossil species to the genusHomo has resulted in a genus that, according to the taxonomic interpretation, could span as much time as 2.5 Myr, and include as many as ten species. This paper reviews the fossil evidence for each of the species involved, and sets out the case for their inclusion inHomo. It suggests that while the case for the inclusion of some species in the genus (e.g.Homo erectus) is well-supported, in the case of two of the species,Homo habilis andHomo rudolfensis, the case for their inclusion is much weaker. Neither the cladistic evidence, nor evidence about adaptation suggest a particularly close relationship with laterHomo.     

Taxonomy ofCarminatia (Asteraceae,Eupatorieae)

A taxonomic study of the largely Mexican genusCarminatia is rendered. It is comprised of three closely related species:C. tenuiflora, C. recondita andC. anomala spec. nova. Illustrations, dot maps, keys to species and complete synonymy are presented.     

A taxonomic analysis of seed proteins inPinus spp.(Pinaceae)

Seed storage proteins have proved to be a powerful biochemical marker for taxonomic research, but they have not been extensively employed in forest tree studies. In order to improve the understanding of the taxonomy of the genusPinus, total seed proteins of 12 pine species have been analyzed by means of SDS-PAGE (Sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). The results showed the presence, in the genusPinus, of two main sub-taxa, corresponding to the subgeneraHaploxylon andDiploxylon. Differences and affinities between Mediterranean pine species were found in agreement with classification ofKlaus (1989).     

The phylogenetic position of the endemic flat-needle pinePinus krempfii (Pinaceae) from Vietnam, based on PCR-RFLP analysis of chloroplast DNA

Pinus krempfii is morphologically very unique as compared to otherPinus species by having flat leaf-like needles. Its taxonomic position has been problematic ever since its discovery. In this study, an attempt was made to infer the taxonomic status ofP. krempfii through restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 12 PCR amplified chloroplast (cp) DNA regions. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using 10 representatives of the twoPinus subgenera:Strobus andPinus. In addition, to infer the position ofP. krempfii in Pinaceae in relation with other genera, 14 representatives of eight additional genera were included in the analysis. Our cpDNA-based results indicate that: 1)P. krempfii clearly belongs to the genusPinus. This result does not favour the creation of a new genusDucampopinus in Pinaceae for this taxon. 2) Within the genusPinus, P. krempfii is more allied with species in subgenusStrobus and differs distinctly from species in subgenusPinus. 3) Despite the similarity in certain morphological and anatomical leaf and wood characters toKeteleeria andPseudolarix, the cpDNA data do not support the hypothesis for close relationship betweenP. krempfii and these two genera.     

Pollination of sevenPlectranthus spp. (Lamiaceae) in southern Natal, South Africa

The genusPlectranthus (Lamiaceae) shows remarkable radiation on the sandstones of southern Natal and northern Transkei in South Africa, where six endemic species occur. Two of these endemic species,P. hilliardiae andP. oribiensis, are included in this study, as well asP. reflexus, for which only limited data are available. The other species that were studied areP. ambiguus, P. ciliatus, P. ecklonii, P. madagascariensis andP. zuluensis. Four of these taxa,P. ambiguus, P. hilliardiae, P. reflexus andP. saccatus var.longitubus, have uniquely long corolla-tubes (20–30mm) and this is related to pollination by nemestrinid flies of the genusStenobasipteron that have proboscides of similar length. Other nemestrinid species of the genusProsoeca have shorter proboscides and pollinate two species ofPlectranthus with shorter corolla-tube lengths (6–15mm). Acrocerid flies, tabanid flies and anthophorid bees are also important visitors to these species. This study on the pollination of seven species of varying corolla-tube lengths shows a correlation between floral tube length and proboscis length of insect visitors, many of which are recorded for the first time as pollinators ofPlectranthus.     

A new notion on the heteropterofauna (Insecta: Hemiptera,Heteroptera) from the Pliocene of Willershausen (N Germany)

Mainly based on collections from Willershausen (Lower Saxony, North Germany), the Pliocene Heteroptera fauna of West Europe is briefly revised. The present compilation includes a checklist with taxonomic and systematic corrections ofJordan’s (1967, 1969) type materials. Naucoroid water bugs of the family Aphelocheiridae are distinguished and the extinct species of the genusAphelocheirus are redescribed. The new genusWillershausenia n.gen. (type species:Nabis strausi Jordan, 1969) is defined and transferred to the coreoid family Alydidae.      

Phylogenetic analysis ofUlmaceae

A phylogenetic analysis of theUlmaceae, Cannabaceae, Barbeyaceae, andBroussonetia of theMoraceae produced nine equally parsimonious trees with 127 steps. TheUlmoideae (Ulmaceae, sensuGrudzinskaya) are a monophyletic group and distinct from theCeltidoideae. The genusAmpelocera occupies an isolated taxonomic position among the celtidoids. The similarity ofAmpelocera to the fossil celtidoid flowerEoceltis of North America suggests thatAmpelocera posesses an archaic suite of characters, and occupies a primitive position among the celtidoids, theCannabaceae and theMoraceae. The relationships among the other celtidoid taxa,Cannabaceae, andBroussonetia are problematic. TheCannabaceae andBroussonetia of theMoraceae are nested within the celtidoids suggesting that this is a paraphyletic group. The close, but unresolved, relationship of the celtidoids to theMoraceae andCannabaceae observed in this analysis, and the appearance of the celtidoids in the fossil record prior to the ulmoids suggests that the evolutionary relationship of the ulmoids and celtidoids may be more distant than current taxonomic treatments reflect.     

Two new species of Huberia (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) from Brazil

Two new Brazilian species of the genusHuberia,H. carvalhoi andH. consimilis, are described, discussed, and illustrated.Huberia carvalhoi is endemic to Bahia;H. consimilis has a wider distribution, with disjunct populations in Pernambuco, Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro. A key is provided to the three Bahia taxa with some comments on the taxonomic affinities of the two new species.     

Die GattungKarschia — Bindeglied zwischen bitunicaten Ascomyceten und lecanoralen Flechtenpilzen?

The genusKarschia, in the earlier sense, including saprophytes and parasites on lichens, has been thought to be a non-lichenized parallel genus of the lichen genusBuellia. Modern workers included it on the one hand inBuellia, on the other hand combined it with bitunicate ascomycetes. It is now proved thatKarschia is heterogeneous and contains but superficially similar members both of the genusBuellia of theLecanorales and of typical or masked bitunicateAscomycetes. Therefore, it can not be regarded as a link betweenLecanorales andDothideales. The type species ofKarschia belongs to theDothideales.

     

Re-examination ofPyrenomonas andRhodomonas (class cryptophyceae) through ultrastructural survey of red pigmented cryptomonads

Several taxa of cryptomonads, including species of marineChroomonas, Cryptomonas and freshwaterRhodomonas were examined using transmission electron microscopy. They have cellular structures fundamentally in common: a single bilobed chlorplast, a single pyrenoid between the chloroplast lobes, and a nuclemorph embedded within a cleft of the pyrenoidal matrix. These features are in accordance with the taxonomic characteristics of the recently established genusPyrenomonas. The algae also have similar pigmentation to that ofRhodomonas andPyrenomonas which is red or reddish-brown. On the basis of these observations, the genusRhodomonas Karsten (1898) is redescribed in this paper and the genusPyrenomonas Santore is considered to be synonymous withRhodomonas.     

A phenetic comparison of someFumaria spp. (Fumariaceae)

The taxonomy of the genusFumaria has not been considered in detail sincePugsley's work in 1919 ff., and few modern methods have been applied to it. In a phenetic study, 33 populations of 11Fumaria spp. were grown in uniform conditions, and seven morphological characters measured. After re-expression and transformation the data were analysed by cluster analysis and principal components analysis. Alternative analyses did not indicate contradictory taxonomic conclusions. Artificial crosses gave some evidence on interfertility, and suggestedF. occidentalis to be an allopolyploid ofF. bastardii ×F. capreolata. Pugsley's subsectional classification is supported within sect.Parviflora, but not within sect.Grandiflora. His two sections are seen to be meaningful, but not discrete.     

The natural delimitation ofCentaurea (Asteraceae: Cardueae): ITS sequence analysis of theCentaurea jacea group

Taxonomic complexity has hindered partitioning the genusCentaurea into natural subdivisions, even though it has long been recognized as an unwieldy, artificial assemblage. Most of the remaining difficulties center in theCentaurea jacea group, whose taxa share a common advanced type of pollen. Because it comprises half the species of the genusCentaurea, as well as five other disputed genera previously segregated fromCentaurea (Chartolepis, Cheirolepis, Cnicus, Grossheimia andTomanthea), theCentaurea jacea group is a significant taxonomic challenge. Newer molecular approaches are useful for resolving complex relationships because they provide more precise inferences of evolutionary relationships than traditional morphological characters. Sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were analyzed for a comprehensive sample of this group. Results indicated that theCentaurea jacea group is monophyletic and includes the segregated genera, but not two other genera (Oligochaeta andZoegea), whose inclusion in theCentaurea jacea group was doubtful. In addition to pollen morphology, the ITS phylogeny is also supported by karyological evidence and by good correlation with biogeographic distribution of the species. The monophyly of theCentaurea jacea group suggests that a natural delimitation ofCentaurea that minimizes nomenclatural changes is possible, but only if a new type of the genus is designated.     

Distribution and chemotaxonomic significance of flavonoids inAloe (Asphodelaceae)

A chemotaxonomic study of practically all the species of the genusAloe showed that flavonoids occur as major compounds in 31 out of a total of 380 species investigated. Flavanones and dihydroflavonols are present in the exudate of species inAloe ser.Rhodacanthae andSuperpositae and also in a number of the endemic species from Madagascar. Flavones occur as the only major compound in the leaf extracts of the sects.Leptoaloe andGraminialoe. In ser.Macrifoliae and inLomatophyllum, the sister genus ofAloe, isovitexin co-occurred with theC-glucosylanthrone aloin. The chemotaxonomic implication of these results are discussed together with the significance of the taxonomic and chemogeographical distribution of flavonoids inAloe. With a few rare exceptions, the leaf compounds from two different biogenetic pathways (polyketide pathway and flavonoid pathway) are mutually exclusive. Since flavonoids are restricted to the basal groups inAloe, we conclude that flavonoids are plesiomorphic characters inAloe reflecting ancient phylogenetic and biogeographic links.     

Cephalodiate Arten der GattungLecidea sensu lato (Ascomycetes lichenisati)

(1) The ability to produce cephalodia is usually a genus-specific character in lichens. (2)Lecidea shushanii Thoms., is a member of the genusTephromela, closely related toT. aglaea. It is not clear, whether or not the cephalodia of this taxon are true cephalodia or colonies of epiphytic cyanobacteria and whether or notLecidea shushanii is an independent species. (3)Lecidea dovrensis Nyl., is, in contrast to the traditional concept, not conspecific withLecidea alpestris Sommerf., but an earlier name forLecidea pallida Th. Fr. (4)Lecidea dovrensis is described in some detail. Chemically the species is characterized by the presence of isousnic acid (previously unknown in lecideoid lichens). It is restricted to areas north of the 60th parallel with an oceanic climate. (5) In connection with the attempt to clarify the taxonomic relationships ofLecidea dovrensis, figures of ascus apical structures of the following species are given (marked by an asterisk are genera where we found discrepancies with published data):Austrolecia antarctica, Catillaria chalybeia, Lecidea alpestris, L. caesioatra, L. limosa, Lecidoma demissum, Koerberiella wimmeriana, Micarea assimilata, M. crassipes, M. melaenida, M. prasina, Pilophorus robustus, Placodiella olivacea, Placolecis opaca, Porpidia trullisata, Protoblastenia rupestris, Psilolechia lucida, Psorula rufonigra, Squamarina gypsacea, Xanthopsorella texana. (6) Among crustaceous lichens we find no groups related toLecidea dovrensis. We supportTimal's concept of including this species in the genusPilophorus. Pilophorus, as well asLecidea dovrensis is characterized by the same ascus type, by a similar structure of thallus, cephalodia, paraphyses, and ascocarp (although there is no pseudopodetium developed inLecidea dovrensis), and the presence of isousnic acid. In addition, both taxa are restricted to cool oceanic climates and non-calciferous substrates. The following combination is proposed:Pilophorus dovrensis (Nyl.)Timdal, Hertel & Rambold, comb. nova. (7) The species of theLecidea alpestris-group form an independent genus, probably near toAustrolecia Hertel.

Frau Prof. Dr.Elisabeth Tschermak-Woess zu ihrem 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

The generic classification of Fayum anthropoidea

The early anthropoid species initially described asAegyptopithecus zeuxis Simons, 1965, from the Oligocene of Egypt, although retained by many authors in the monotypic genusAegyptopithecus, has been lumped by others into the genusPropliopithecus. Similarly, the species originally described asParapithecus grangeri Simons, 1974, has been ranked by some authors in a monotypic genusSimonsius, while others retain it inParapithecus. Criteria to be considered in resolving these taxonomic debates are (1) the adequacy and consistency of proposed morphological differences between species; (2) analogy with the degree of morphological variation tolerated within extant genera; and (3) nomenclatural conservatism. A philosophy that would require strict monophyletic classification is of insufficient practical value for assessing the validity of Fayum genera. Characters cited as distinguishing vetweenAegyptopithecus andPropliopithecus, and betweenSimonsius andParapithecus, are reviewed and evaluated. The results indicate thatA. zeuxis is generically distinct from species ofPropliopithecus, based on differences in the crown structure and proportions of the molars.Pa. grangeri cannot be shown to differ at the generic level from the type and only known specimen ofPa. fraasi, thus establishing Simonsius as a junior synonym ofParapithecus.     

ÜberHydrianum viride (Characiaceae,Chlorophyceae), seine fortpflanzung und taxonomie

The little known epiphytic algaHydrianum viride was studied and pictured. The morphology and the variability of the vegetative cells are described in detail and compared with the observations of other authors. For the first time typical biflagellate zoospores of the chlorophycean-type have been recognized and the course of the asexual reproduction is studied. The residual protoplasm, that is the proximal half of the zoosporangium protoplast, growth up to the original size, typical for the genusHydrianum. The life cycle, especially the settling down of the zoospores, is described.Hydrianum viride belongs to the characteristic inhabitants of peaty waters; it belongs together with the host alga,Microspora loefgrenii, to the dominants of algal association of peat-springs. At last the taxonomic position and the synonyma of this organism are discussed.

     

Generic delimitation and phylogeny of theCarduncellus-Carthamus complex (Asteraceae) based on ITS sequences

Within the Mediterranean complexCarduncellus-Carthamus, taxonomic classification has proven problematic. Numerous attempts to clarify the relative systematic boundaries have included splittingCarduncellus andCarthamus into several genera, but none of these proposed classifications have been generally accepted. For a comprehensive resolution of the relationships within this group, we used sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The results indicate that the complex should be classified into four genera:Carduncellus, Carthamus, Femeniasia andPhonus. The relationship between the western group (Carduncellus, Femeniasia andPhonus) and the eastern genusCarthamus are not resolved by analysis of ITS sequences, but the two groups are probably not close relatives. The ITS classifications corresponded with biogeography and less with morphological characters, which have also been the main source of confusion in traditional classifications. Most of the unusual morphological features in theCarduncellus-Carthamus complex appear to be reversals to ancestral character states.     

The systematic position of theHolarrheninae (Apocynaceae)

The genusHolarrhena, described byRobert Brown in 1811, has had a problematic taxonomic history, in part due to a suite of characters that does not conform with accepted concepts within theApocynaceae. In a number of important taxonomic charactersHolarrhena is typical of subfam.Apocynoideae. But due to the relatively unspecialized structure of the anthers most recent authors have placedHolarrheng, together withCarruthersia andSpirolobium, as the subtribeHolarrheninae in subfam.Plumerioideae. For the present investigation the floral structure and pollen morphology ofHolarrhena, Carruthersia andSpirolobium were analyzed. From the chemical literature reports of the occurrence of steroidal alkaloids in thePlumerioideae were evaluated. Our results indicate that the three genera belong to subfam.Apocynoideae in the tribeNerieae, but that the Holarrheninae is an unnatural group, and that the three genera should be accommodated individually within the tribe.