The genus Sarcostemma R.Br. (Asclepiadaceae) in Madagascar

The Madagascar! representatives of the genus Sarcostemma are investigated. All Malagasy material studied can be assigned to four taxa. S. viminale ssp. viminale occurs in Madagascar as well as on other islands along the African coast and on the African mainland: the other three species are endemic to Madagascar. All four species occur in the southern, arid part of the island, to which S. decorsei is endemic. S. membranaceum and S. elachistemmoides are new. All species are described and illustrated and a key and distribution maps are presented.     

On the identity of Ulex gallii Planchon (Leguminosae)

On the basis of the study of the original material used by Planchon, the typification previously made by other authors is discussed, and an interpretation of the U. minor-galli group is presented. We conclude that the name U. galli must continue in use in its traditional sense, and, therefore, U. cantabricus Alvarez Martínez el al. must become a mere synonym. The new combinations U. breoganii (Castroviejo & Valdés-Bermejo) Castroviejo & Valdés-Bermejo, stat. nov. and U. minor subsp. gallii (Planchon) Castroviejo & Valdés-Bermejo, comb. nov. are proposed.     

Typification of the Boissier names in Anthriscus Pers. (Apiaceae)

Boissier described several taxa in Anthriscus , summarized in his Flora orientalis account. The names include A. lamprocarpa, A. kotschyi, A. ruprechtii, A. tenerrima, A. t. var. leiocarpa, A. anatolica, A. macrocarpa, A. nemorosa var. mollis, A. n. var. glabra; the hst four are still recognized as separate species. These names are typified in this paper, based on the material in Boissier herbarium at G.     

Taxonomic and evolutionary relationships in the genus Vella L. (Cruciferae)

Thirty-two differential characters are numerically analysed for the six existing taxa of the genus Vella L. The closely related monotypic genus Boleum Desv. is also included for comparison. Most of the characters used are morphological, but cariological, ecological and biogeographical aspects have also been studied. The results indicate that four distinct species, one ( V. pseudocytisus L.) with three sub-species, should be distinguished. The new combination V. anremerica (Lit. et Maire) Gómez-Campo (basionym: V. pseudocytisus L. subsp. anremerica Lit. et Maire) and the new name V. pseudocytisus L. subsp. paui Gómez-Campo for V. pseudocytisus L. var. glabrescens Willk., nornen nudum are presented. A key is given to aid identification of these taxa. Their conservation status is also discussed.     

A new species of the genus Torilis Adanson (Apiaceae)

JURY, S. L., 1987. A new species of the genus Torilis Adanson (Apiaceae). The name Torilis nodosa (L.) Gaertner has been shown to have been used to include two very distinct variants. Torilis nodosa is therefore typified, and the other variant described as a new species.     

Anzygina, a new genus for some Australasian microleafhopper species formerly placed in the genus Zygina Fieber (Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Erythroneurini)

Species of Erythroneurini (Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) currently placed in the genus Zygina and found in Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring islands are transferred to the new genus Anzygina , type species Erythroneura sidnica Kirkaldy, following comparison with the type species of the genus: Typhlocyba nivea Mulsant and Rey. New combinations are Anzygina sidnica (Kirkaldy), Anzygina honiloa (Kirkaldy), Anzygina melanogaster (Kirkaldy) and Anzygina sativae (Evans) from Australia, Anzygina toetoe (Cumber), Anzygina agni (Knight), Anzygina dumbletoni (Ghauri) and Anzygina ramsayi (Knight) from New Zealand, Anzygina zealandica (Myers) from Australia and New Zealand, Anzygina jowettae (Knight) from Norfolk Island and Anzygina medioborealis (Ghauri) from Papua New Guinea. Lectotypes are designated for Erythroneura honiloa Kirkaldy and E. sidnica Kirkaldy. Anzygina billi sp.n. is described from SE Qld, and Anzygina barrattae sp.n. is described from the South Island of New Zealand. A. agni is a new record for Australia and is presumed to be Australian in origin. A. dumbletoni has a distribution which suggests that it also is introduced to New Zealand although its origins are not known. A. ramsayi, A. barrattae and A. toetoe , all of which appear to be New Zealand endemics, show affinity with each other based on aedeagal structure. A key to these species, based on males, is provided. The lack of male syntypes for Erythroneura honiala Kirkaldy and Erythroneura lubra Kirkaldy precludes establishment of their identities relative to other species of the genus, and both names are regarded as having nomen dubium status. Australian species not transferred to Anzygina are Zygina evansi (Ross) and Zygina ipoloa (Kirkaldy), both of which belong elsewhere.     

Typification of Brassica oleracea L. (Gruciferae) and its Linnaean varieties

OOST, E. H., BRANDENBURG, W. A. & JARVIS, C. E., 1989. Typification of Brassica oleracea L. (Cruciferae) and its Linnaean varieties. The Linnaean concept of Brassica oleracea and its varieties is discussed. In the light of this concept several types are considered and chosen.     

The outer epidermal wall structure of African Stapelieae (Asclepiadaceae)

The outer epidermal walls of 65 species incorporated in 14 genera of the tribe Stapelieae were investigated by light and electron microscopy (TEM, SEM). The species, all of them stem succulents preferring the semi-arid regions of the Palae-otropics, possess an outer epidermal wall, which is relatively simple in structure. The whole plant body is covered by a massive wax layer, in addition some species bear wax crystals. A cutin layer follows beneath, reticulate over its whole expanse and not divided into a cuticle proper and cutinized layers. A cellulose layer, which often exhibits enclosed cutinbodies, delimits the wall against the plasmalemma.     

Convergent evolution and paraphyly of the hawk-eagles of the genus Spizaetus (Aves, Accipitridae) – phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial markers

The phylogenetic relationships within the New and Old World hawk-eagle assemblage (genus Spizaetus ; Aves: Accipitridae) were studied using mitochondrial DNA sequences ( cytochrome b , control region). Eighty-four specimens representing all Spizaetus species and almost all currently distinguished subspecies as well as 11 other booted and non-booted 'eagle' genera from the Neotropics, Africa, Eurasia, South Asia and Australasia ( Oroaetus , Harpia , Morphnus , Lophaetus , Stephanoaetus , Hieraaetus , Aquila , Ictinaetus , Spilornis , Pithecophaga , Harpyopsis ) were investigated. Although the basal branching could not be resolved, our investigations clearly indicate that hawk-eagles represent a paraphyletic assemblage and thus their external similarities have to be ascribed to convergent evolution. The New World taxa of Spizaetus cluster together, but the South American species Oroaetus isidori appears embedded within this clade. The taxa from Southeast to East Asia form a clearly separated monophyletic group. It is further divided into two subgroups, which are also characterized by distinct juvenile plumage patterns. Spizaetus africanus , the only African representative of the genus, is found in a mixed cluster consisting of members of the genera Aquila and Hieraaetus . These findings are in accordance with previous studies of other authors based on various molecular markers and different sets of taxa, but disagree with current taxonomy. Therefore, we suggest assigning the species of the genus Spizaetus to three different genera: (1) Spizaetus (including Oroaetus isidori ) in Central and South America and (2) Nisaetus for the Southeast to East Asian group. (3) The African taxon ( Spizaetus africanus ) is discussed to be included into the genus Aquila. Furthermore, we propose to use the former genus name Lophotriorchis Sharpe, 1874, for the monotypic species Hieraaetus kienerii , which has an isolated phylogenetic position.     

The identity of Ctenophrynium K. Schum. (Marantaceae)

Ctenophrynium unilaterale (Baker) K. Schum. was described from cultivated material reported to have been brought from Madagascar. It has recently been recollected in the state of Bahía, SE Brazil. A reexamination shows good agreement with the Brazilian genus Saranthe (Regel & Koern.) Eichl. The recombination Saranthe unilateralis (Baker) L. Anderss. is made and the genus Ctenophrynium is reduced to a synonym of Saranthe . The plant is redescribed and illustrated.     

Spiders of the genus Lachesana and a new storenoid genus from Israel (Araneae: Zodariidae)

Zodariid spiders of two genera in Israel are revised. The genus Lachesana is represented by two species. Only one male of these was ever depicted while the females of both and their hitherto unknown retreats were never described. Pax gen. nov. has been erected to accommodate five species, some of which have formerly been placed in Slorena, Selamia or Habronestes . Diagnostic characters of the West Mediterranean Selamia and the Australian Habronestes are newly illustrated. No drawings of Pax libani and P. islamita were ever published; the male of the latter is described here for the first time. Pax palmonii sp. nov. and P. engediensis sp. nov. are described and affinities of all taxa are discussed. Illustrations, records of distribution and keys to the species are provided.     

Notes on the taxonomy and nomenclature of the algal classes Eustigmatophyceae and Tribophyceae (synonym Xanthophyceae)

The systematics of the Eustigmatophyceae are revised at the level of species, genus, family and order. All known species are included in the Eustigmatales, which is divided into four families: the Eustigmataceae Hibberd includes Eustigmatps Hibberd and Vischeria Pascher, each with three species; the Pseudocharaciopsidaceae includes only Pseudocharaciopsis Lee & Bold with two species; the Chlorobotryaceae includes only Chlorobotrys Bohlin with one species and the Monodopsidaceae includes Monodopsis Hibberd with one species and Nannochloropsis Hibberd with two species. Eustigmatophyta and Eustigmatophyceae are published as typified names for the division and the class, respectively, both based on Eustigmatos. Tribophyceae, based on Tribonema , is published as the typified name for the class previously called Xanthophyceae. Nannochloris coccoides Naumann is chosen as lectotype of the chlorophycean genus Nannochloris Naumann.     

Taxonomic, nomenclatural and chorological notes on several taxa of the genus Echinodorus (Alismataceae)

Taxonomic, nomenclatural and chorological notes on several taxa of the genus Echinodorus are given. A new species E. maculatus is described. The name Alisma intermedium (basionym of the name E. intermedius) is lectotypified. Echinodorus major and E. martii should be treated as two distinct taxa. The name E. xinguensis was invalidly published. It is also confirmed that E. africanus, E. veronikae and E. viridis (all belonging to the E. uruguayensis group) do not originate from Africa. The name E. bleherae should be written with a female suffix (-ae); this name is considered here as a synonym of the earlier name E. grisebachii.     

Studies in Schefflera (Araliaceae). IV. The identity of Vitis heptaphylla L., a long-misplaced Linnaean ivy tree

A discussion of the little-known and poorly localized Linnaean species Vitis heptaphylla is presented. Its long, though sometimes questioned, association with Middle America arose from J. E. Smith's annotation of the probable type specimen (No. 281.10, LINN) as a possible member of Sciodaphyllum and his association of the name with the Jamaican Aralia sciodaphyllum Willd. [sic] (Schefflera sciodaphyllum (Sw.) Harms) in Rees' Cyclopaedia. However, the plant is the same as the East Asian tree described as Aralia octophylla Lour, and known almost universally since the 1890s as Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms. A formal treatment, incorporating the necessary new combination, is given. Notes on six other Linnaean Mantissa altera species claimed, like Vitis heptaphylla, to be from "India orientalis" but without supporting references, are given in an Appendix.     

The status of the genus Bostryx Troschel, 1847, with description of a new subfamily (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Bulimulidae)

The status of the genus Bostryx is discussed and, based on morphological and molecular data, restricted to a group of species related to Bostryx solutus, for which the new subfamily name Bostrycinae is introduced.     

Revision of the African species of the genus Mesocyclops Sars, 1914 (Copepoda: Cyclopidae)

A revision is made of the African Mesocyclops species, based on type material (when extant) and on collections from various parts in Africa.Diagnostic characteristics are: presence or absence of spinule patterns on antennular segments, structure of the hyaline membrane of the 17th antennular segment, spine pattern on the basipodite of the antenna, armature of the maxillulary palp, presence or absence of a spine on the basipodite of P₁, armature of the connecting lamella, coxopodite and basipodite of P₄, armature of the apical spines of Enp₃P₄, armature of the last thoracic segment, genital segment and the other abdominal segments, armature of the furcal rami and structure of the receptaculum seminis.First, the taxonomical status of M. leuckarti (Claus) is redefined; this species does not occur in Africa and its geographical range is restricted to Europe and the western part of Northern Asia. On the African continent, twelve other taxa are found. Four are described as new to science: M. kieferi sp.n., M. dussarti sp.n., M. spinosus sp.n. and M. aequatorialis similis subsp.n. The remainder are: M. major Sars, M. tenuisaccus (Sars), M. paludosus Lindberg, M. salinus Onabamiro, M. ogunnus Onabamiro, M. aspericornis (Daday), M. rarus Kiefer and M. aequatorialis aequatorialis (Kiefer).Their geographical distribution is discussed. Eleven taxa are restricted to the African continent (including the Arabian Peninsula and the Canary Islands). One taxon is also found in the Oriental Region. Madagascan representatives are briefly mentioned.The importance of breeding and cross-breeding experiments should be stressed in copepod taxonomy. Experiments were performed on African species and M. leuckarti to evaluate the morphological characters used in the present study, and intraspecific morphological variability was examined up to and including the third generation (Van de Velde, in press).In future one should critically reconsider the so-called cosmopolitan species; they may indeed represent a complex of related taxa, each with a geographical range more restricted than that of the species-complex itself.Abstracted from the author's Ph.D. thesis, State University of Ghent, 1982.Abstracted from the author's Ph.D. thesis, State University of Ghent, 1982.