Holcus mollis L. subsp. hierrensis (Poaceae), a new subspecies of El Hierro (Canary Islands), and some notes on the species

Holcus mollis L. subsp. hierrensis is new to science. Its distinct chamaephytic habit and particular features of the morphology of the spikelets, provided in a key, as well as its ecology allow a taxonomic separation from the otherwise similar subsp. mollis. A short survey of important facts about the species given in the literature is presented. The possible status of the new subspecies as a neoendemic of the island of El Hierro (Canaries) is discussed.     

温度对绞股蓝和五柱绞股蓝生长及总皂苷积累的影响

温度是影响绞股蓝生长发育和总皂苷积累的重要环境因子之一。将绞股蓝和五柱绞股蓝幼苗置于10、15、20、25℃和30℃的光照培养箱中处理40d,检测其形态指标和总皂苷含量。结果表明:在25℃条件下,绞股蓝的叶面积、叶柄长、茎长、新萌叶片数、生物量和总叶绿素含量均为最高,五柱绞股蓝的生长发育也具有类似的规律,因此推断25℃是绞股蓝和五柱绞股蓝生长发育的适温条件。绞股蓝和五柱绞股蓝的总皂苷含量则以30℃下最高。绞股蓝的生物量和总皂苷含量决定了总皂苷产量,25～30℃最有利于提高绞股蓝的总皂苷产量,30℃则是提高五柱绞股蓝总皂苷产量的最适温度。     

Dactylorhiza majalis s.l. (Orchidaceae) in acid habitats: variation patterns, taxonomy, and evolution

Morphometric and allozyme data were collected from 11 populations of Dactylorhiza majalis s.l. in the Ardennes (Belgium, France) and North Jutland (Denmark). All study populations were growing in obviously acid habitats. Genetic distances were calculated and illustrated by UPGMA dendrograms, while principal components analyses (PCAs) were used to summarize morphological variation patterns. Based on the PCAs, the probability of each character to distinguish correctly between the main groups of populations was estimated. The study populations from the Ardennes and from the Danish island of Læsø seem to agree with populations from Sweden previously studied by Hedrén—and to belong to D. majalis subsp. sphagnicola (comb. nov.). It should be noted that allozyme data suggest a polytopic origin of this taxon. The study populations from the Danish region of Thy differ morphologically from the others and exhibit much less genetic variation. They are described as a new subspecies, D. majalis subsp. calciñigiens. The evolution and biogeography of the two taxa are discussed, and brief taxonomic accounts are provided.     

A taxonomic revision of Crambe, sect. Leptocrambe (Brassicaceae)

As part of a revision of the genus Crambe based on the morphological study of herbaria and cultivated material, the systematics of sect. Leptocrombe DC. is presented here. Section Leptocrambe is considered to comprise five species: C. kilimandscharica O. E. Schulz, C. sinuatodentata Hochst. ex Petri, C. hispanica L., C. filiformis Jacq. and C. kralikii Coss. C. hispanica includes three subspecies, subsp. hispanica , subsp. glabrata (DC.) Cout. and subsp. abyssnica (Hochst. ex R. E. Fr.) stat. nov. which includes var. dyssinica and var. meyeri (O. E. Schulz) comb. nov. C. kralikii includes two subspecies, subsp. kralikii and subsp. garamas (Maire) Podlech.     

Differentiation patterns in the E. MediterraneanScutellaria rubicunda group (Lamiaceae)

Strict sterility barriers where found between theScutellaria populations on Sicily and the Greek populations. The material from Samos is separated by a strict sterility barrier from the other Greek populations. In contrast, the populations on mainland Greece and adjacent islands are all ± interfertile. Three species are recognized,S. rubicunda Hornem., endemic to Sicily, andS. brevibracteata subsp.icarica, endemic to Samos and Ikaria. All other populations are referred toS. rupestris with eight subspecies, most of which are endemic to one island or to one mountain. Three new subspecies are described, viz. subsp.rechingeri and subsp.olympica, endemic to mt Vourinos and mt Olympus in North Greece, respectively, and subsp.caroli-henrici, native to the Malea peninsula of Peloponnisos. The phytogeographical connections and genetic differentiation within and between populations are discussed.Dedicated to Prof. DrK. H. Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Population genetics and conservation priorities for the critically endangered island endemic Delphinium pentagynum subsp. formenteranum (Ranunculaceae)

Isozyme electrophoresis was used to evaluate levels of genetic diversity and population genetic structure of the critically endangered (CR) perennial larkspur, Delphinium pentagynum subsp. formenteranum (Ranunculaceae), endemic to the island of Formentera (Balearic Islands, Spain). There is only one known population for this taxon, containing only 480 individuals. Moderate values of diversity were detected (P = 40.7%, A = 1.6 and H _e = 0.180), within the range observed in other surveyed larkspurs, but higher than most island endemics. Moderate levels of inbreeding were detected, probably as a consequence of the population's genetic structuring (biparental inbreeding). Threats to this taxon are mainly anthropogenic (fires, grazing, pathway works, and building pressures), although given that only one population exists, stochastic risks cannot be ignored. Conservation of D. pentagynum subsp. formenteranum requires in situ strategies, such as implementing a monitoring program and establishing a botanical reserve, and ex situ strategies, such as collection and long-term storage of seeds.     

Geographical variation and systematics of the tetraploid marsh orchid Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. sphagnicola (Orchidaceae) and closely related taxa

Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. sphagnicola is an allotetraploid marsh orchid derived from parents closely similar to present‐day D. incarnata and the western European form of D. maculata subsp. maculata, suggesting that it has a postglacial origin. It extends from northwestern continental Europe into areas formerly covered by the Weichselian ice sheet in mid‐Scandinavia. Here, we studied the variation at both the plastid and nuclear marker systems to describe the geographical variation in subsp. sphagnicola and its evolutionary history. We investigated whether subsp. sphagnicola is affected by secondary hybridization and gene flow from its parental lineages or from other allotetraploid marsh orchids, and we also compared subsp. sphagnicola with other allotetraploids of similar origins. We analysed 492 plants from 50 populations. Thirty‐seven populations were collected as potential Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. sphagnicola, five as subsp. sesquipedalis (D. elata), one as D. elata subsp. brennensis, one as subsp. calcifugiens, one as subsp. occidentalis and the remaining five as populations with some affinity to subsp. lapponica (including D. traunsteineri). All populations were analysed for plastid haplotypes and nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) allele frequencies, and a subset of 43 populations was analysed for five nuclear microsatellite loci. Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. sphagnicola was dominated by a single plastid haplotype that was also dominant in western European D. maculata subsp. maculata, and most of the alternative haplotypes differed by only one mutation from the dominant one. There was more variation in nuclear microsatellites and ITS, and the variation was geographically structured in these markers. Subspecies occidentalis and calcifugiens shared haplotypes with subsp. sphagnicola, whereas subsp. sesquipedalis and brennensis had other haplotypes. Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. sphagnicola may have a postglacial origin within its present continental distribution. It has incorporated genetic material from D. maculata subsp. maculata by secondary hybridization and introgression, and some northern populations have assimilated strongly divergent haplotypes from the northeastern form of D. maculata subsp. maculata. Subspecies sphagnicola has also evolved morphologically divergent local populations in the north that do not differ from the typical populations in genetic markers. It may form mixed populations with other allotetraploid subspecies of D. majalis and, at least at one site, it has become integrated with subsp. lapponica, demonstrating that independently derived allotetraploids may contribute to a common gene pool. Subspecies calcifugiens seems to be derived from subsp. sphagnicola, and further studies based on a larger sample may confirm that it is better recognized as a variety. The so‐called D. elata subsp. brennensis is of hybrid origin and combines markers from subsp. sesquipedalis with markers from the D. majalis core complex, possibly subsp. majalis. The new combination Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. sesquipedalis (Willd.) H.A.Pedersen & Hedrén comb. nov. is provided. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168 , 174–193.     

Notes on the taxonomy of Diplotaxis DC. (Brassiceae)

Taxonomic changes in three species of Diplotaxis are proposed. Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC. subsp. cossoniana (Boiss.) Martinez-Laborde, comb, et stat. nov. is proposed for the Algerian subspecies of D. erucoides. Two North African varieties are raised to subspecific rank: D. tenuisiliqua Del. subsp. rupestris (Ball) Martinez-Laborde, stat. nov. and D. muralis (L.) DC. subsp. ceratophylla (Batt.) Martinez-Laborde, stat. nov.     

New Delias butterflies from the Solomon Islands (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Abstract Four new taxa of Delias from the Solomon Islands are described. Two are races of a new species, D-messalina sp.n., which may be closely related to D.nigrina Fabricius and is distributed over three islands. The nominotypical subspecies, D.m.messalina subsp.n., occurs in Bougainville while D.m.orientalis subsp.n. is found on Santa Ysabel and Guadalcanal. The other two, D.alberti guava subsp.n. from Bougainville and D.alberti tetamba subsp.n. from Santa Ysabel, represent new subspecies of D.alberti Rothschld. Couplets for the inclusion of the new taxa in the standard key in Talbot are provided. In addition, a list of Solomon Islands Delias is given, together with brief distributional data.     

The identity of the African genus Oncostemma K. Schurn. (Asclepiadaceae)

Oncostemma cuspidatum K. Schum., described from the West African island of S˜o Tomé, is recognized as being synonymous with Tylophora oblonga N.E. Br., a widespread and variable species of mainland African rainforests. The monotypic genus Oncostemma K. Schum. is reduced to synonymy with Tylophora R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae-Asclepiadeae-Astephaninae).     

A new taxonomic interpretation of the Dicoma anomala complex (Mutisieae, Asteraceae)

The polymorphic African species D. anomala is subdivided in three subspecies and two new nomenclatural combinations in the genus Dicoma (Mutisieae, Asteraceae) are proposed: Dicoma anomala subsp. attenttata and D. anomala subsp. gerrardii .     

Synaptic mutation associated with gametic sterility and population divergence in Coptis teeta (Ranunculaceae)

Cytogenetic investigations of 13 natural populations of Coptis teeta , an endemic and endangered medicinal plant from the Eastern Himalaya, were carried out. About 70–80% individuals in some of the populations were synaptic mutants. The predominantly sexually breeding plant populations were confined to higher cooler latitudes, whereas the mutant apomict inhabited lower warmer latitudes. The breeding systems were observed to be associated with morphological differentiation and ecological preference of some populations. Individuals of subsp. teeta reproduced sexually as well as vegetatively, but those of subsp. lohitensis have adapted almost entirely to a vegetative mode of reproduction. Though no variation was observed in somatic chromosome number and karyotypes, the two subspecies differed significantly with respect to their male meiotic behaviour and rhizome morphology. The mutants either produced little fertile pollen or were completely sterile, leading to low seed production or none at all. This has resulted in low reproductive fitness, localized distribution and small population sizes of the taxon.     

Biometrische Untersuchungen an Populationen vonOphrys cornuta,O. holosericea und ihren Hybriden (Orchidaceae)

Population variability ofOphrys holosericea (Burm. f.)Greut. subsp.holosericea (=O. fuciflora Crantz subsp.fuciflora) from near Vienna (Austria), and of subsp.maxima (Fleischm.)Greut. andO. cornuta Steven with intermediates from the Dalmatian island Hvar (Yugoslavia) was analysed and illustrated by scatter diagrams. A hybrid origin of these intermediates is suggested. Aspects of hybridization betweenO. holosericea agg. andO. scolopax agg. are discussed.

     

Identification and comparative analysis of a genomic island in Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis

Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) is an environmental bacterium causing opportunistic infections. The objective of this study was to identify flexible genome regions in MAH isolated from different sources. By comparing five complete and draft MAH genomes we identified a genomic island conferring additional flexibility to the MAH genomes. The island was absent in one of the five strains and had sizes between 16.37 and 84.85 kb in the four other strains. The genes present in the islands differed among strains and included phage- and plasmid-derived genes, integrase genes, hypothetical genes, and virulence-associated genes like mmpL or mce genes.     

八角属(八角科)三种植物之小记

根据对腊叶标本的研究,将少药八角Illicium oligandrum Merrill & Chun、I. parvifolium Merrill subsp. oligandrum(Merrill & Chun)Q. Lin作为小叶八角I. parvifolium Merrill的新异名,将苏门答腊八角I. sumatranum A. C. Smith作为里德利八角I. ridleyanum A. C. Smith的新异名,发现厚皮香八角I. ternstroemioides A. C. Smith在越南的新记录。     

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF SOME PARENTS AND HYBRIDS OF THE HAWAIIAN MADIINAE (ASTERACEAE)

Comparative leaf morphology and anatomy was examined in five species and four hybrids involving three genera of Hawaiian Madiinae (Asteraceae). The comparisons included Argyroxiphium grayanum, Dubautia ciliolata subsp. ciliolata, D. knudsenii subsp. knudsenii, D. scabra subsp. leiophylla, D. scabra subsp. scabra, and Wilkesia gymnoxiphium, and the hybrids A. grayanum × D. scabra subsp. leiophylla, D. ciliolata subsp. ciliolata × D. scabra subsp. scabra, D. knudsenii subsp. knudsenii × D. scabra subsp. leiophylla, and W. gymnoxiphium × D. scabra subsp. leiophylla. Foliar morphology, leaf tissue organization, and various characters of stomata and trichomes were compared, using epidermal peels, cross and paradermal sections, and clearings of leaves. Pronounced anatomical differences among these closely related taxa were characterized, and effects of hybridization on the expression of anatomical features were documented. Most comparisons of parents and hybrids revealed statistically significant differences in leaf size, distribution of adaxial and abaxial stomata, and marginal and surface trichomes. In most instances hybrids demonstrated intermediate status in their foliar characters, indicating that these features are inherited from both parents. However, differences in foliar characters were usually of sufficient magnitude to allow recognition of hybrids as well as parents.     

Polyploidisation and Geographic Differentiation Drive Diversification in a European High Mountain Plant Group (Doronicum clusii Aggregate,Asteraceae)

Range shifts (especially during the Pleistocene), polyploidisation and hybridization are major factors affecting high-mountain biodiversity. A good system to study their role in the European high mountains is the Doronicum clusii aggregate (Asteraceae), whose four taxa (D. clusii s.s., D. stiriacum, D. glaciale subsp. glaciale and D. glaciale subsp. calcareum) are differentiated geographically, ecologically (basiphilous versus silicicolous) and/or via their ploidy levels (diploid versus tetraploid). Here, we use DNA sequences (three plastid and one nuclear spacer) and AFLP fingerprinting data generated for 58 populations to infer phylogenetic relationships, origin of polyploids—whose ploidy level was confirmed by chromosomally calibrated DNA ploidy level estimates—and phylogeographic history. Taxonomic conclusions were informed, among others, by a Gaussian clustering method for species delimitation using dominant multilocus data. Based on molecular data we identified three lineages: (i) silicicolous diploid D. clusii s.s. in the Alps, (ii) silicicolous tetraploid D. stiriacum in the eastern Alps (outside the range of D. clusii s.s.) and the Carpathians and (iii) the basiphilous diploids D. glaciale subsp. glaciale (eastern Alps) and D. glaciale subsp. calcareum (northeastern Alps); each taxon was identified as distinct by the Gaussian clustering, but the separation of D. glaciale subsp. calcareum and D. glaciale subsp. glaciale was not stable, supporting their taxonomic treatment as subspecies. Carpathian and Alpine populations of D. stiriacum were genetically differentiated suggesting phases of vicariance, probably during the Pleistocene. The origin (autopolyploid versus allopolyploid) of D. stiriacum remained unclear. Doronicum glaciale subsp. calcareum was genetically and morphologically weakly separated from D. glaciale subsp. glaciale but exhibited significantly higher genetic diversity and rarity. This suggests that the more widespread D. glaciale subsp. glaciale originated from D. glaciale subsp. calcareum, which is restricted to a prominent Pleistocene refugium previously identified in other alpine plant species.