Anchusella, a new genus ofBoraginaceae from the Central-Eastern Mediterranean

The two closely related speciesLycopsis variegata andAnchusa cretica, formerly placed inAnchusa subg.Rivinia, were compared with the type species ofLycopsis andAnchusa, on the basis of a set of macro and microcharacters. The presence of only two fertile stamens as well as other peculiar characters in flower structure, androecium, gynoecium, pollen and fruit, supports the institution of the new genusAnchusella, consisting ofA. variegata andA. cretica. Karyological and eco-chorological aspects are consistent with morphological data in pointing to the autonomy of this genus, which appears characterized by autapomorphic, advanced traits.     

Difference of invasion behavior between two climax species,Castanopsis cuspidata var.sieboldii andMechilus thunbergii,on lava flows on Miyakejima,Japan

The invasion behavior of two climax species,Machilus thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc. andCastanopsis cuspidata (Thunb.) Schottky var.sieboldii (Makino) Nakai, was studied on the 1874 and 1962 lava flows on Miyakejima, Japan. On the 1962 lava, zoochorousM. thunbergii appeared almost only under crowns of pioneeringAlnus sieboldiana Matsum, while bolochorousC. cuspidata var.sieboldii occurred only along the borders of the lava. The three species,A. sieboldiana, M. thunbergii andC. cuspidata var.sieboldii, corresponded, in order, to the temporal sequence of invasion in the boundary forest and the spatial sequence from margin to center on the 1962 lava. Seed or fruit dispersion is important in primary succession in the case of large disturbances.     

Fruit infesting tephritids [Dipt.: Tephritidae] and associated parasitoids in Chiapas,Mexico

A total of 1,302 parasitoids representing 8 species and 4 families were recovered from 9,818 fruit fly host fruits sampled. The most common parasitoid species wasDiachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead). Average percent parasitism ranged between 0.44 and 29.23%. Parasitoid emergence data indicate thatAnastrepha ludens (Loew),A. obliqua (Sein),A. serpentina (Wiedeman),A. striata (Schiner) andToxotrypana curvicauda (Gerstaecker) were subject to parasitism. We provide information on the population fluctuation ofAnastrepha ludens, A. obliqua, A. serpentina, A. distincta (Greene),A. striata, A. fraterculus (Wiedeman),A. chiclayae (Greene),A. montei (Costa Lima),A. leptozona (Hendel) andA. tripunctata (Wulp).Anastrepha ludens andA. obliqua were the most common species, representing 95.3% of all fruit fly species caught in McPhail traps.      

Pollen limitation in three sympatric species ofVaccinium (Ericaceae) in the Upper Ardennes, Belgium

The reproductive success of three co-flowering species ofVaccinium (V. myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea andV. uliginosum) was studied in one heathland of the Upper Ardennes, Belgium, during three years (1988–1990). The purpose was to examine whether pollen limitation, flower position and flowering phenology may influence patterns of fruit set in these three sympatric species. I quantified fruit and seed set following supplementary hand-pollinations and compared this to natural fruit set. On the same plants, I also quantified fruit and seed set in relation to the spatial position of the flowers on the ramet and their temporal sequence of blooming. Hand-pollination had no significant effect on fruit set inV. vitis-idaea andV. uliginosum, but significantly increased seed number per fruit in 1989. InV. myrtillus both fruit and seed set were increased by supplementary pollination, but significantly in only one year. Analyses of position effects revealed that the fruits in the lower positions in the ramet did not mature preferentially and did not contain more seeds inV. uliginosum and inV. vitis-idaea. Flowering phenology also had no significant effect for these species. InV. myrtillus hand-pollinated flowers showed a seasonal decline in seed number, and control (naturally pollinated) flowers showed a seasonal increase in fruit set. Fruit and seed set appear to be pollen-limited rather than resource-limited inV. uliginosum. In the two other species, unfavorable weather (frosts) could be a more important cause of low fruit and seed set.     

Reproductive systems and crossing potential in three species ofBulbophyllum (Orchidaceae) occurring in Brazilian ‘campo rupestre’ vegetation

Experimental self-, cross- and interspecific pollinations were carried out inBulbophyllum weddellii, B. involutum andB. ipanemense (Orchidaceae). The last two species are closely related, butB. weddellii is somewhat more distant. The three species are self-compatible, with pollination by a vector necessary for fruit formation. In all crossing types, high rates of fruit abortion and formation of seeds without embryos were observed, particularly in interspecific crosses that involvedB. weddellii. Crosses between the more closely relatedB. involutum andB. ipanemense produced fruit formation rates and seed viability similar to those obtained in intraspecific crosses. These results agree with current hypotheses that suggest that interspecific crossing rates reflect phylogenetic proximity. Examination of pollen tube growth and aborted fruits suggests that a series of factors may be involved in the high abortion rate for fruits and large proportion of seeds without embryos. The low interspecific fertility noted forB. weddellii andB. involutum is important in the maintenance of isolation between these species that are sympatric, flower in the same period and share the same pollinators.     

Parasitism of fruit fliesCeratitis capitata andAnastrepha SPP. [Diptera: Tephritidae] in Guatemala

In a 4-year surveyDoryctobracon crawfordi Viereck andBiosteres longicaudatus Ashmead were the most common parasitoids recovered from bothCeratitis capitata (Wiedemann) andAnastrepha spp. Other braconids recovered from both genera wereD. areolatus Szepligeti,Bracanastrepha anastrephae (Viereck), and a Cynipid. Combined parasitization in both generally by ranged from 0.04 to 7.95% (Av. 1.5%). The numbers were particularly low in economically important fruit crops such as coffee, orange, and peach. Combined parasitoid population was correlated with the combined fruit fly infestation at 5 elevation strata.      

Reproductive biology of twoPrunus species (Rosaceae) in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula

We studied the reproductive biology ofPrunus spinosa andPrunus mahaleb (Prunoideae, Rosaceae) in the northwest Iberian Peninsula. The two species flowered at the same time (peaking on March 9 and 11, respectively in 1990) but differ significantly in their fruit maturation times. Nectar volume peaked in the early morning in both species, and was ten times greater inP. spinosa than inP. mahaleb. Neither species shows apomixis, nor does fruit-set occur if pollinators are excluded. In both species self-pollination resulted in fewer fruits than open pollination. The principal pollinators belong to theApidae family (79% and 63% of visits toP. spinosa andP. mahaleb, respectively). Results are compared with those for other rosaceous plants with fleshy fruits.     

Asr genes belong to a gene family comprising at least three closely linked loci on chromosome 4 in tomato

Asr1, Asr2 andAsr3 are three homologous clones isolated from tomato whose expression is believed to be regulated by abscisic acid (ABA); the corresponding genes thus participate in physiological and developmental processes such as responses of leaf and root to water stress, and fruit ripening. In this report, results obtained with Near Isogenic Lines reveal thatAsr1, Asr2 andAsr3 represent three different loci. In addition, we map these genes on the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) map of the tomato genome by using an F₂ population derived from an interspecific hybrid crossL. esculentum × L. penelli. RFLP data allow us to map these genes on chromosome 4, suggesting that they belong to a gene family. The elucidation of the genomic organization of theAsr gene family may help in understanding the role of its members in the response to osmotic stress, as well as in fruit ripening, at the molecular level.     

A genetic contribution to the taxonomy ofOenothera sect.Oenothera (including subsectionsEuoenothera,Emersonia, Raimannia andMunzia)

Based on an analysis of results from experimental hybridization, the plants assigned byMunz toOenothera subg.Oenothera and subg.Raimannia, now divided into approximately 76 species, are referred to a single section,Oenothera. This section is in turn divided into five subsections:Euoenothera, Munzia, Raimannia, Emersonia, and an undescribed group of three species related toOenothera pubescens. Euoenothera is maintained in the traditional sense, and includes about 14 species of North America, widely naturalized elsewhere.Munzia consists of 45 species, comprising three series, and native to South America.Raimannia is restricted to a group of approximately 11 North American species.Emersonia comprises four rather heterogenous species of northern Mexico and southern New Mexico, of whichOenothera macrosceles, O. maysillesii, andO. organensis have been described. Within these four subsections, interspecific hybrids can be made in general, although plastid differentiation often leads to incompatibilities. With varying degrees of difficulty, hybrids were produced in all intersectional combinations involvingEuoenothera, Emersonia, Munzia, andRaimannia, the most difficult being those betweenEmersonia andRaimannia. Based on their habit and distribution,Emersonia species, and especiallyOenothera maysillesii, appear to resemble most closely the common ancestor of the section,Euoenothera andMunzia to have been derived from it or its common ancestor, andRaimannia perhaps to be more closely related to the phylogenetic branch that leads toEuoenothera.     

Genetic control of fruit polymorphism in the GenusFedia (Valerianaceae) in the light of dimorphic and trimorphic populations ofF. pallescens

The genusFedia consists of three species (F. cornucopiae, F. graciliflora andF. pallescens) of winter annual herbs, endemic to the western Mediterranean Basin. The deciduous terminal fruits of these taxa are polymorphic in the development of their pericarp and/or calyx, and each population is dimorphic or more rarely trimorphic. The three main fruit types are dispersed in several manners, and are specialized for either epizoochory or myrmecochory. On the basis of our experimental study of dimorphic and trimorphic populations ofF. pallescens subsp.pallescens, a genetic model is presented in order to explain the control of this intrapopulational polymorphism. It is postulated that two diallelic loci are tightly linked on the same chromosome in a functional supergene. One allele of each locus displays a dominance effect in the heterozygous state. Within the four possible homologous allelic segments, only two are present in the dimorphic populations, three in the trimorphic ones, and are otherwise associated in diverse combinations in the remaining taxa of the genus. Similar examples of fruit polymorphism are already documented in the tribeValerianeae, subtribeFediinae. The hypothesis is put forward that this fruit polymorphism is a synapomorphy for the subtribe.     

Acht neue Arten der GattungAnthemis (Compositae) aus Persien

The following species are described as new:Anthemis mazandaranica in N. and NW. Iran is allied toA. coelopoda; A. moghanica in NW. Iran is close toA. candidissima andA. sintenisii; A. atropatana also in NW. Iran is similar toA. hyalina; A. gracilis in W. Iran is close toA. plebeia; A. bushehrica in SW. Iran is similar toA. susiana; andA. rhodocentra in S. and E. Iran and in Pakistan is akin toA. austro-iranica, A. gayana, andA. kandaharica.

Anschrift des Herausgebers: Hofrat Univ.-Prof. Dr.Karl Heinz Rechinger, Beckgasse 22, A-1130 Wien, Österreich.     

Coexistence of predatoryMuscina stabulans andophyra aenescens [Dipt.: Muscidae] with dipterous prey in poultry manure

Significant relationships between the emergence of adult predatory species,Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann) andMuscina stabulans (Fallen) and prey,Musca domestica L.,Fannia femoralis (Stein) andF. canicularis (L.) existed on 10 poultry ranches in southern California. Predatory species may function in natural control at intervals throughout the year, especially on predominant prey,F. femoralis andF. canicularis. Dipterous species, especiallyO. aenescens andF. femoralis, were only moderately influenced by the surface area of breeding habitat available. Accuracy in the measurement of population trends in Diptere may be enhanced by increasing the number of samples at any given ranch rather than the addition of study ranches. Parasitism, ranging from 22.6–37.8% of collected puparia, involved principally 3 species,Muscidifurax zaraptor Kogan & Legner,M. raptor Girault & Sanders andSpalangia cameroni Perkins.      

Cytology ofCrocus sativus and its allies (Iridaceae)

Populations ofC. cartwrightianus, C. hadriaticus andC. thomasii from the Balkans have 2n = 16 as has the Middle EasternC. pallasii subsp.haussknechtii. C. dispathaceus andC. pallasii subsp.pallasii have 2n = 14 whileC. pallasii subsp.turcicus has 2n = 12.C. niveus has 2n = 28 andC. sativus is an autotriploid with 2n = 24. Karyotype variation was found between populations ofC. pallasii subsp.pallasii in Central Turkey and also inC. pallasii subsp.turcicus.     

The Bionomics ofCoptera Haywardi(Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) and Other Pupal Parasitoids of Tephritid Fruit Flies (Diptera)

The endoparasitoidCoptera haywardi(Ogloblin) (Diapriidae) was discovered in Mexico attacking the pupae of the Mexican fruit fly,Anastrepha ludens(Loew). Typically, parasitoids of Diptera Cychlorrhapha pupae develop as ectoparasitoids and are generalists that attack hosts in a number of families. Aspects of the bionomics ofC. haywardiwere compared to those of two chalcidoid ectoparasitoids,Dirhinus himalayanusWestwood andSpalangia geminaBoucek.C. haywardideveloped in three genera of Tephritidae, but not in species of other families. The two species of chalcidoids developed in all the calypterate and acalypterate hosts to which they were exposed. In an olfactometerC. haywardipreferredAnastrepha suspensa(Loew) pupae, while the chalcidoids preferred the pupae ofMusca domestica L.This preference inS. geminawas diminished in insects that had been reared onA. suspensa. C. haywardioviposited in theA. suspensapupae that had been previously parasitized by the braconidDiachasmimorpha longicaudata(Ashmead). However, it completed development only in unparasitized pupae. Mortality of the primary parasitoid due toD. himalayanuswas approximately two-thirds the mortality inflicted on the host fly.S. geminadid not discriminate between parasitized and unparasitized pupae ofA. suspensaand developed in both.C. haywardiappears to have a more restricted host range relative to chalcidoid pupal parasitoids and this may be due to its endoparasitic development.     

Identification of self-incompatibility groups in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Hatiora</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Schlumbergera</Emphasis> (Cactaceae)

The Cactaceae, a family of about 1,800 species of succulent perennials, contains numerous species that exhibit self-incompatibility (SI). The objective of the current study was to determine the number of incompatibility groups present among diploid (2n=2x=22) cultivars of the genera Schlumbergera Lem. (Christmas cacti) and Hatiora Britton & Rose (Easter cacti). Two partial diallel crosses were performed, one with 19 cultivars of Christmas cacti [= S. truncata (Haworth) Moran and S. × buckleyi (Buckley) Tjaden] and the other with 10 cultivars of Easter cacti [= H. gaertneri (Regel) Barthlott, H. rosea (Lagerheim) Barthlott, and H. × graeseri Barthlott ex D. Hunt]. The compatibility/incompatibility status of crosses was determined by percent fruit set and presence of seed in mature fruit. None of the cultivars set fruit when selfed or crossed with a cultivar in the same incompatibility group, but fruit set ranged from 35% to 100% following compatible crosses. For the Christmas cacti, eight intra-incompatible but reciprocally compatible groups were identified, with 13 of the 19 cultivars assigned to three incompatibility groups (68%). The ten cultivars of Easter cacti yielded nine intra-incompatible but reciprocally compatible groups, with two cultivars in one incompatibility group and the other eight cultivars each assigned to a unique group. One cultivar of Christmas cactus ('Abendroth 6') was incompatible when crossed as a male with cultivars in incompatibility group 2 but was compatible in reciprocal crosses, results that suggest that this cultivar is an S-allele homozygote. The crossing relationships are consistent with a one-locus, gametophytic SI system with multiple alleles. Allozyme locus Lap-1, shown previously to be linked with the S locus (recombination frequency 7%) in Schlumbergera, exhibited insufficient allelic diversity for determining the S genotypes of the 19 cultivars of Christmas cacti. Based on the number of incompatibility groups in each diallel, at least five S-alleles occur in the 19 Christmas cacti and the 10 Easter cacti.Publication 3337 of the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. This material is based on work supported in part by the Cooperative State Research, Extension, Education Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station, under Project No. 746     

Floral scent chemistry and pollination ecology in phytelephantoid palms (Arecaceae)

The subfamilyPhytelephantoideae comprises three genera (Ammandra, Aphandra, andPhytelephas) and seven species of dioecious palms. The floral scents ofAmmandra dasyneura, A. decasperma, Aphandra natalia, Phytelephas aequatorialis, P. macrocarpa, andP. seemannii were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We studied the pollination biology ofA. natalia, P. aequatorialis, andP. macrocarpa, and tested how the synthetically produced main constituents of the floral scents ofAphandra andPhytelephas attracted insects in two natural populations ofPhytelephas. The genera are distinct in terms of floral scents.Ammandra has sesquiterpenes,Aphandra (+)-2-methoxy-3-sec-butylpyrazine, andPhytelephas p-methyl anisol. These constituents dominated the scents quantitatively and qualitatively. The similarity between scents of male and female inflorescences was 76.5% inAmmandra, 84.2% inAphandra, and >99% inPhytelephas. Different species ofAleocharinae (Staphylinidae) pollinateAphandra natalia andPhytelephas species and reproduce in their male inflorescences.Derelomini (Curculinoidae) andMystrops (Nitidulidae) only visit and pollinatePhytelephas in which male inflorescences they reproduce. A species ofBaridinae (Curculionidae) only visits and pollinatesAphandra natalia, and reproduces in its female inflorescence. The apparent reliance on one or a few floral scent constituents as attractants and few and specific pollinators may indicate co-evolution. Sympatric species ofPhytelephantoideae have different scents. We suggest that species with similar scents have allopatric distributions due to the absence of a pollinator isolation mechanism.     

A new point of view on the taxonomy ofPottia starckeana agg. (Musci,Pottiaceae)

A new taxonomic treatment is proposed for thePottia starckeana species complex. The peristome development is not considered to be a useful feature to separate the taxa. On the basis of spore morphology only two species are accepted:P. starckeana, with spores wavy in outline, andP. davalliana, with variously-shaped and developed processes on the spores.Pottia starckeana var.brachyoda is reduced to synonymy withP. starckeana; P. conica andP. commutata are treated as synonyms ofP. davalliana. The speciesP. mutica, P. affinis, P. salina, P. microphylla, P. texana, andP. arizonica (included var.mucronulata) are considered taxa of doubtful affinity, as they have spore features intermediate between the two spore types established for the group. The identity ofP. appertii andP. recurvifolia has not been elucidated because the type material has been destroyed.