中国特有种苦绳(广义夹竹桃科)的大小孢子发生和雌雄配子体发育及其分类学意义

近年来的分子系统学把狭义萝藦科和狭义夹竹桃科合并为广义夹竹桃科,包括5个亚科和25个族,但亚科和族间的亲缘关系较为复杂,亟待多学科证据澄清。本文利用常规石蜡切片技术观察了马利筋亚科南山藤属中的中国特有植物苦绳(Dregea sinensis var. sinensis)的孢子发生和配子体发育,结合已有资料比较了5个亚科的胚胎学特征。结果表明:(1)苦绳的花药由一对侧生并列药室组成,各有一个花粉团。(2)花药壁有6层,由外至内分别为表皮、2层药室内壁、中层和2层绒毡层,花药壁发育模式属于多层型。(3)绒毡层细胞单核,排成2列,为腺质型; 在小孢子四分体形成时期,药室内壁发生明显纤维状加厚; 花药成熟时,位于药室远轴最外侧处的花药壁发生断裂,准备散粉。(4)小孢子母细胞减数分裂中,胞质分裂方式为连续型,小孢子四分体排列方式为左右对称; 成熟花粉粒为3-细胞型,排列紧密,形成花粉团。(5)雌蕊含有两枚离生心皮,具边缘胎座,胚珠倒生,单珠被,薄珠心,蓼型胚囊。本文观察到的这些胚胎学特征为牛奶菜族提供了新资料。同时,胚胎学特征在5个亚科间的区别和联系,支持广义夹竹桃科的成立。     

The taxonomy and systematics of Apocynaceae: where we stand in 2012

In their most recent classification of Apocynaceae in 2000, Endress and Bruyns recognized five subfamilies of Apocynaceae (Rauvolfioideae, Apocynoideae, Periplocoideae, Secamonoideae and Asclepiadoideae). Subsequently, through various studies using molecular data, it has been shown that most tribes and subtribes of Rauvolfioideae were not monophyletic, and new tribes and subtribes have been erected to reflect improved phylogenetic understanding of the family: Aspidospermeae in Rauvolfioideae; Nerieae, Odontadenieae and Baisseeae in Apocynoideae; Fockeeae in Asclepiadoideae; and Orthosiinae in Asclepiadeae. Several genera in Rauvolfioideae have been reassigned to different tribes in order to improve the monophyly of these tribes. The sister group of Asclepiadoideae plus Secamonoideae is not Periplocoideae, as formerly assumed, but tribe Baisseeae. Periplocoideae are nested in Apocynoideae. However, tribal composition remains unclear in some parts of the family. Clade structure in Apocynaceae is now generally well understood. The principal challenges now lie in identifying characters that can reflect and articulate these clades in a formal classification. Species‐rich, recent radiations such as core Asclepiadinae in Africa and the Metastematinae in Latin America present particular problems in this regard. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Floral scent composition in early diverging taxa of Asclepiadoideae,and Secamonoideae (Apocynaceae)

The Apocynaceae–Asclepiadoideae are well known for their specialized floral morphologies and pollination systems and many species have distinct floral aromas. However, our knowledge on the chemistry of floral volatiles in this plant family is relatively limited although it has been suspected that floral scent plays a key function for pollinator attraction. This is the third paper in a series of papers reporting on the floral odours of Asclepiadoideae. Floral odours of eleven species from seven genera (Cibirhiza, Fockea, Gymnema, Hoya, Marsdenia, Stephanotis and Telosma) of early diverging taxa of Apocynaceae–Asclepiadoideae, and two species of Secamone (Apocynaceae–Secamonoideae) were collected using headspace sampling and then analyzed via GC–MS. We detected 151 compounds, of which 103 were identified. The vast majority of chemicals identified are common components in flower odour bouquets of angiosperms. However, striking was the high relative amount of acetoin (97.6%) in the flower scent of Cibirhiza albersiana. This compound has rarely been reported as a flower scent component and is more commonly found in fermentation odours. Bray–Curtis similarities and Nonmetric-Multidiminsional Scaling (NMDS) analyses showed that each of the species has a distinct odour pattern. This is mostly due to only twelve compounds which singly or in different combinations dominated the scent of the species: the benzenoids benzyl acetate, benzaldehyde, methyl benzoate, and 2-phenylethyl alcohol; the monoterpenoids (E)-ocimene, (Z)-ocimene, linalool, and eucalyptol; and the aliphatic compounds acetoin, and (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal. The floral scent compositions are discussed in relation to tribal affiliations and their potential role for pollinator attraction, and are compared with the scent data available from other Asclepiadoideae species.     

Sectile pollinia and relationships in theOrchidaceae

The sectile state, in which pollinia are subdivided into units larger than tetrads, is one of several systematically important orchid pollinium characters. We recognize two types of sectile pollinia, based upon form and arrangement of massulae. One type is found primarily in members ofOrchidoideae-Spiranthoideae, while the other characterizes epidendroid genera. Additional characters that have systematic potential are massula dimorphism, caudicle composition, and degree of tetrad packing. Hollow sectile pollinia uniteArethusa andCalopogon; Stereosandra andEpipogium have dissimilar pollina, but other characters support a close relationship between them. The sectile condition is interpreted as resulting from a shift in the timing of cohesion of developing pollen cells.     

Climate niches of milkweeds with plesiomorphic traits (Secamonoideae; Apocynaceae) and the milkweed sister group link ancient African climates and floral evolution

? Premise of the study: Climate change that increases mortality of plants and pollinators can create mate-finding Allee effects and thus act as a strong selective force on floral morphology. Milkweeds (Secamonoideae and Asclepiadoideae; Apocynaceae) are typically small plants of seasonally dry habitats, with pollinia and high pollen-transfer efficiency. Their sister group (tribe Baisseeae and Dewevrella) is mostly comprised of giant lianas of African rainforests, with pollen in monads. Comparison of the two groups motivated a new hypothesis: milkweeds evolved in the context of African aridification and the shifting of rainforest to dry forest. Pollinia and high pollen-transfer efficiency may have been adaptations that alleviated mate-finding Allee effects generated by high mortality during droughts. We formally tested whether milkweeds have a drier climate niche by comparing milkweeds with plesiomorphic traits (Secamonoideae) and the milkweed sister group in continental Africa. ? Methods: We georeferenced specimens of the milkweed sister group and Secamonoideae in continental Africa, extracted 19 climatic variables from the Worldclim model, conducted factor analysis to identify correlated suites of variables, and compared the frequency distributions of the two lineages relative to each factor. ? Key results: The distributions of Secamonoideae and the milkweed sister group differed significantly relative to four factors, each correlated with a distinct suite of climate parameters: (1) air temperature (Secamonoideae: cooler), (2) total and (3) summer precipitation (Secamonoideae: drier), and (4) temperature seasonality and isothermality (Secamonoideae: more seasonal and less isothermal). ? Conclusions: Secamonoideae in continental Africa inhabit drier, cooler sites than do the milkweed sister group, consistent with a shift from rainforests to dry forests in a cooling climate.     

Pollinium development and number in the Orchidaceae

Development of anthers in three subfamilies of Orchidaceae was studied anatomically to examine homology hypotheses for pollinium number characters and to produce a model of pollinium development for the family. Serial sections of plastic-embedded embryonic inflorescences revealed that anther primordia were either flattened or ovoid; subsequent expansion of thecae and their inward (adaxial) reorientation (“rotation”), achieved by differential cell division and elongation in the connective, result in a mature anther with strongly introrse morphology and pollinia oriented side by side (juxtaposed). Strongly introrse anthers occur in at least some members of all subfamilies and are probably the basal state for the family. All anthers examined (from Orchidoideae, Spiranthoideae, and Epidendroideae) showed a single meristematic region, which would later give rise to pollen, per theca at earliest stages; septation of each of these regions resulted in four or eight pollinia per anther, while lack of septation in some members of the Epidendroideae gave two pollinia. In contrast, the two bipartite pollinia found in many Spiranthoideae and Orchidoideae were produced by adherence of the contents of two locules at a late ontogenetic stage, and should be recognized as a distinct character state. Eight pollinia result from partitioning by two longitudinal septa or a longitudinal and a transverse septum; these two morphologies may also represent separate character states.     

铁皮石斛花粉块结构及发育过程的解剖学特征研究北大核心CSCD

兰科植物的有性生殖特殊,每朵花只有1个花药,且花粉有聚集成块发育的特征。为了揭示铁皮石斛花粉块的发育特征,该研究以野生铁皮石斛不同时期的花药为材料,采用半薄切片和植物组织化学方法对其发育过程进行解剖学观察分析,并对成熟花粉块进行离体培养,观察花粉管的萌发状况。结果表明:(1)铁皮石斛花药壁由1层表皮细胞,2层药室内壁细胞,1层中层细胞和1层绒毡层细胞组成。开花时,绒毡层细胞退化,中层细胞没有退化,药室内壁细胞则形成纤维状细胞壁;药室中的小孢子母细胞没有明显的胼胝质壁结构。(2)小孢子发生属同时型,减数分裂后四分体小孢子不分散,以四合花粉状态发育,并进一步连接形成花粉块。(3)在小孢子发育中,孢粉素覆盖在整个花粉块表面形成花粉外壁,但花粉块内部的花粉没有花粉外壁结构;在花粉块表面的花粉外壁上未见花粉萌发孔。(4)在花粉离体萌发实验中,具有花粉外壁的花粉块表面花粉未见萌发,仅由花粉块内部的花粉萌发出花粉管。     

Cibirhiza spiculata (Apocynaceae), a remarkable new species from eastern Ethiopia

Summary  The new species Cibirhiza spiculata Thulin & Goyder, from Acacia-Commiphora bushland on sand in the Somali National Regional State (Ogaden) of Ethiopia, is described and illustrated. Its conservation status has been assessed. A molecular phylogenetic analysis confirms its placement in the tribe Fockeeae and indicates a position of the new species as sister to C. albersiana. The almost obsolete anther appendages, the outer corona with spreading lobes, as well as the pollinia with apparently single pollen grains, also support its placement in Cibirhiza. However, C. spiculata differs markedly from both previously known species of this genus (C. dhofarensis in Oman and Yemen and C. albersiana in Tanzania and Zambia) by its narrowly linear, subsessile leaves and by the inner corona lobes that are curved inwards over the gynostegium and each ending in a spinulose head.     

Corona and anther skirt in Hoya (Apocynaceae, Marsdenieae)

The so called revolute margins of the corona in the genus Hoya (Marsdenieae) are homologous to the anther skirt. The anther skirt is primarily formed of two latero-basal lobes of the anther. In Hoya these lobes are fused with the underside of the basal process of the staminal corona and have evolved into a dominant structure of the gynostegium. Embedded in the anther skirt is the nectar tube, formed by the basal elongation of the guide rail. In many species, however, the function of nectar secretion for pollinator reward has been transferred to the anther skirt beneath the basal process of the corona. A survey of the Marsdenieae shows that the potential for developing an anther skirt is present in several other genera as well, though nowhere has it evolved into such elaborated structures as in Hoya.     

Morphological and ultrastructural diversity of orbicules in relation to evolutionary tendencies in apocynaceae s.L

Minute granules of sporopollenin, called orbicules, can be observed on the innermost tangential and/or radial walls of secretory tapetum cells. Orbicules were investigated in 62 species (50 genera) of Apocynaceae s.l. using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Orbicules were found in 43 species (34 genera) distributed amongst the subfamilies Rauvolfioideae, Apocynoideae, Periplocoideae, and in the genus Riocreuxia (Asclepiadoideae). Absence of orbicules is apparent in Secamonoideae and Asclepiadoideae (except Riocreuxia). The orbicule types described are based on observed morphological and ultrastructural variation. Of the six orbicule types previously described, Type I and Type II orbicules are lacking. In the majority of species, Type III orbicules were recorded in addition to Types IV, V and VI. In this study we suggest that embedded Type VI orbicules are more derived. A correlation between orbicule typology and evolutionary tendencies in Apocynaceae s.l. palynology was found. A trend was observed from the presence of Type III orbicules in the majority of species belonging to the basal group of genera characterized by colporate to porate single pollen grains, or 3-6-porate tetrads, towards the more derived embedded Type VI orbicules in the more advanced Periplocoideae genera with multiporate tetrads or pollinia. Orbicule data have proven not to be useful for evaluating tribal delimitation within the Apocynaceae s.l. contrary to the Rubiaceae and Loganiaceae s.l.     

Why does some pollen lack apertures? A review of inaperturate pollen in eudicots

Apertures are key characters of pollen grains with systematic importance in angiosperms. They function as sites for pollen tube exit, water uptake, transfer of recognition substances and accommodation of volume changes. Not all pollen has apertures; inaperturate pollen (lacking obvious apertures) characterizes many angiosperm groups, especially in early divergent angiosperms and monocots, but also eudicots. In order to expand our knowledge of the systematic distribution, possible functional significance and development of inaperturate pollen in angiosperms, this review focuses on inaperturate and cryptoaperturate (with hidden apertures) pollen in the large eudicot clade, which comprises about 75% of present‐day angiosperm species. It includes new TEM observations of inaperturate pollen from four exemplar taxa selected from different parts of the eudicot phylogeny. Two categories of inaperturate (including cryptoaperturate) pollen occur in eudicots. (1) Sterile attractant or feeding pollen associated with functional dioecy has evolved iteratively at least six times in conjunction with complex breeding systems in the core eudicots. (2) Fertile pollen has evolved numerous times independently throughout eudicots, though generally in a relatively small number of individual taxa. Notable exceptions are the petaliferous crotonoid Euphorbiaceae s.s., in which fertile inaperturate pollen occurs in c. 1500 species, and two subfamilies of Apocynaceae s.l. (Secamonoideae and Asclepiadoideae) with c. 2500 species with fertile inaperturate pollen in pollinia. Fertile inaperturate pollen is sometimes (but not always) associated with an aquatic habit, parasitism, insectivory, heterostyly, anemophily or pollinia. Most fertile inaperturate pollen has a thin exine, or the exine is largely restricted to isolated components (muri, protuberances, subunits) separated by thinner areas which probably function as apertures. In cryptoaperturate pollen, the aperture is covered by continuous exine which probably has a protective function, similar to an operculum. Developmentally, inaperturate pollen is not associated with any particular tetrad type or meiotic spindle orientation (unlike some apertures) due to the absence of a colpal shield of endoplasmic reticulum or other organelles and hence is independent of microsporogenesis type. The lack of a colpal shield during the tetrad stage of development permits complete deposition of first primexine and then exine around each microspore, possibly mediated by the action of the DEX1 protein. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155 , 29–48.     

Phylogenetic relationships within Pappophoreae s.l. (Poaceae: Chloridoideae): Additional evidence based on ITS and trnL-F sequence data

Historically, Pappophoreae included the genera Cottea, Enneapogon, Kaokochloa, Pappophorum and Schmidtia. Some authors consider this tribe as a well-supported monophyletic group; while other evidences reveals Pappophoreae as polyphyletic, with Pappophorum separated from the rest of the tribe. When the latter happens, it can form a clade with Tridens flavus. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the subfamily Chloridoideae have included few species of Pappophoreae; therefore, further research involving more representatives of this tribe is needed. With the aim of providing new evidence to help clarify the phylogenetic position of Pappophorum and its relationships with other genera of the tribe and the subfamily Chloridoideae, eight new sequences of ITS and trnL-F regions of Pappophoreae species were generated. These sequences were analyzed together with other available sequence data obtained from GenBank, using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference, for individual (trnL-F or ITS) or combined trnL-F/ITS data sets. All analyses reveal that Pappophoreae is polyphyletic, with Pappophorum separated from the rest of the tribe forming a well-supported clade sister to Tridens flavus.     

The structure and function of orchid pollinaria

Cohesive masses of pollen known as pollinia have evolved independently in two plant families — Orchidaceae and Asclepiadaceae. Yet, the bilateral symmetry of orchids has allowed a greater degree of specialization in pollination systems and a much greater diversity in the morphology of pollinaria — units comprising the pollinia(um) together with accessory structures for attachment to the pollinator. Pollinaria differ in the degree of cohesion of pollen in the pollinium, which may be soft, sectile (comprised of sub-units known as massulae) or hard. A single hard pollinium may contain more than a million pollen grains, yet pollen:ovule ratios in orchids are several orders of magnitude lower than in plants with powdery pollen due to the lack of wastage during transport to the stigma. Attachment of pollinia to the pollinator is usually achieved by means of a viscidium that adheres most effectively to smooth surfaces, such as the eyes and mouthparts of insects and beaks of birds. The stalk connecting a pollinium to the viscidium may be comprised of a caudicle (sporogenous in origin) and/or a stipe (derived from vegetative tissue), or be lacking altogether. Caudicles and stipes may undergo a gradual bending movement 20 s to several hours after withdrawal from the flower, the main function of which appears to be to reduce the possibility of geitonogamous pollination. Other mechanisms that promote outcrossing and pollen export in orchids include pollen carryover (achieved by sectile or soft pollinia), temporary retention of the anther cap, protandry and self-incompatibility (rare among orchids). Pollinaria ensure that large pollen loads are deposited on the stigma, thus enabling the fertilization of the large numbers of ovules in the flowers of Orchidaceae. Pollinaria also ensure efficient removal of pollen from the anther, minimal pollen wastage during transit, and a high probability of deposition on conspecific stigmas.     

Phylogenetic relationships in Peniocereus (Cactaceae) inferred from plastid DNA sequence data

The phylogenetic relationships of Peniocereus (Cactaceae) species were studied using parsimony analyses of DNA sequence data. The plastid rpl16 and trnL-F regions were sequenced for 98 taxa including 17 species of Peniocereus, representatives from all genera of tribe Pachycereeae, four genera of tribe Hylocereeae, as well as from three additional outgroup genera of tribes Calymmantheae, Notocacteae, and Trichocereeae. Phylogenetic analyses support neither the monophyly of Peniocereus as currently circumscribed, nor the monophyly of tribe Pachycereeae since species of Peniocereus subgenus Pseudoacanthocereus are embedded within tribe Hylocereeae. Furthermore, these results show that the eight species of Peniocereus subgenus Peniocereus (Peniocereus sensu stricto) form a well-supported clade within subtribe Pachycereinae; P. serpentinus is also a member of this subtribe, but is sister to Bergerocactus. Moreover, Nyctocereus should be resurrected as a monotypic genus. Species of Peniocereus subgenus Pseudoacanthocereus are positioned among species of Acanthocereus within tribe Hylocereeae, indicating that they may be better classified within that genus. A number of morphological and anatomical characters, especially related to the presence or absence of dimorphic branches, are discussed to support these relationships.     

The turnover of milkweed pollinia on bumble bees,and implications for outcrossing

Summary Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) picked up a pollen packet (pollinium) of milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) every 2–5 h, usually more rapidly on their feet than on their mouthparts. Pollinia were retained an average of slightly over one day on the mouthparts and one-quarter day on the feet. This long retention period enhances the possibility of outcrossing in this largely or completely self-incompatible species. Although many more pollinia were carried on the feet, the longer retention of those on the mouthparts resulted in their collective outcrossing potential exceeding that of pollinia on the feet. Once pollinia became attached to the bees (via their attachment mechanisms, the corpuscula), others often attached to the translator arms (connecting corpusculum with pollinia) of the first pollinia. Long strings of pollinia and corpuscula often resulted, but they frequently were shed down to a single corpusculum, which was usually retained for long periods (estimated retention time=12–43 days). During the middle and latter part of the flowering period about two-thirds of the bees' feet carried only a single corpusculum. Feet in this condition picked up extremely few pollinia and thus were largely unavailable as sites for pollen transfer. Having several single corpuscula on the feet greatly lowered the number of pollinia carried by a bee over the season. Single corpuscula occurred much less frequently on the mouthparts and were shed over 25 times as rapidly as those on the feet. Many more bumble bees moved between clones than did other possible diurnal pollinators, largely a result of being several times more abundant than all other visitors combined. This factor, plus their heavy pollinia load, suggests that they were the most important diurnal pollinators of these clones.     

珍稀濒危植物大花万代兰的花粉团发育及其分类学意义

万代兰属的属间界限划定及其亲缘关系重建是兰科分类系统中的难解之谜。该研究采用常规石蜡切片技术观察了珍稀濒危植物大花万代兰的一对深裂花粉团的形成机制、花药壁发育模式、小孢子发生及雄配子体发育等的胚胎学特征。结果表明：(1)大花万代兰早期的花药原基分化出一对侧生药室,每个药室的小孢子囊中央分化出一条在花药成熟时会降解的不育隔膜组织,形成两个不等深裂的花粉团。(2)发育完整的花药壁有5~9层,包括2~6层药室内壁,符合多层型花药壁发育类型;绒毡层细胞为单核,腺质型,在花药成熟时,表皮、中层和绒毡层皆降解,仅留下2~6层纤维性加厚的药室内壁。(3)小孢子母细胞经过连续型胞质分裂形成正四面体和左右对称的小孢子四分体,小孢子四分体继续保持在同一个胼胝质内,完成有丝分裂形成了2 细胞型的四合花粉;四合花粉两两紧密排列,且由于隔膜组织的降解,最终发育为一对深裂的花粉团。根据现有兰花花药发育资料,分析了大花万代兰花粉团发育的胚胎学特征的分类学意义,为万代兰属错综复杂的系统分类提供了新资料。     

Oxypetalum banksii subsp. banksii: a taxon of Asclepiadaceae with an extragynoecial compitum

 The floral morphology of seven Oxypetalum species and, in particular, the spatial relationship between the five stigmatic chambers and two separate ovaries of their flowers with respect to transmission of the pollen tube are studied. In all species, except O. banksii subsp. banksii, floral morphology is similar to that in other Asclepiadeae, and the flowers pollinated with one pollinium develop only one follicle, which means compitum absence. In O. banksii subsp. banksii flowers, the secretory interstaminal tissue lines the inner walls of the stigmatic chambers as in the other species studied, but it also reaches the upper part of the inner surface of the filament tube, where it surrounds the styles, an unprecedented feature for Asclepiadaceae. This tissue secretes nectar and mucilage; the latter acts as transmitting medium for the growth of pollen tubes from pollinia inserted and hydrated in stigmatic chambers (“hyperstigmas”). Mucilage also functions as an extragynoecial compitum: in flowers pollinated with one pollinium both carpels develop into a follicle. Received August 28, 2001; accepted April 9, 2002 Published online: October 14, 2002 Addresses of the authors: Milene Faria Vieira (e-mail: mfvieira@mail.ufv.br), Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Vi?osa, 36571-000, Vi?osa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. George John Shepherd, Departamento de Botanica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, C.P. 6109, 13083-970, Campinas, S?o Paulo, Brazil.     

POLLEN MORPHOLOGY OF THE TRIBE SWARTZIEAE (SUBFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEAE: LEGUMINOSAE). 1. INTRODUCTION AND ALL GENERA EXCLUDING ALDINA AND SWARTZIA

The pollen morphology of 9 of the 11 genera of the tribe Swartzieae is described together with that of Holocalyx and Cyathostegia, two genera recently removed from the tribe based on macromorphology. The pollen is small, spheroidal to subprolate, primarily tricolporate with a perforate tectum and generally typical of the Leguminosae. Nonetheless, many of the genera have distinctive pollen morphology. Baphiopsis is 6-colporate. The genera Harleyodendron, Lecointea and one species of Exostyles have supratectal spinules. Bocoa viridiflora has striate/rugulate ornamentation very distinct from the other species of the genus Bocoa. The exine stratification is varied but Candolleodendron has a very thick endexine and narrow foot layer. The pollen of African taxa does not differ significantly from that of South American taxa. Pollen morphology does not clarify the taxonomic relationships of the tribe and provides little evidence to assist in positioning Holocalyx and Cyathostegia.     

Systematic revision of Aluntiini Emeljanov, 1979 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Dictyopharidae: Dictyopharinae): reclassification,phylogenetic analysis,and biogeography

The dictyopharid planthopper tribe Aluntiini s.l. is revised and reclassified into two tribes: Aluntiini s.s. and Arjunini Song & Szwedo trib. nov. The tribe Aluntiini s.s. includes five genera: Aluntia Stål, 1866; D endrophora Melichar, 1903 stat. rev. ; Dictyomorpha Melichar, 1912; Indodictyophara Liang & Song, 2012; and Madagascaritia Song & Liang gen. nov. The new tribe Arjunini comprises two genera – Arjuna Muir, 1934 and Pippax Emeljanov, 2008 – both moved from Aluntiini s.l. Four new species – A luntia longicephalica Song & Szwedo sp. nov. , Madagascaritia angusta Song & Liang sp. nov. , Arjuna maai Song & Wang sp. nov. , and Arjuna muiri Song & Wang sp. nov. – are described. A morphologically based phylogenetic analysis is undertaken for Aluntiini, Arjunini, and the representatives of Dictyopharini, Hastini, Orthopagini, and the fossil Worskaitini within Dictyopharinae, all distributed in the Old World. A matrix of 129 characters of the habitus, coloration, head, thorax, and male and female genitalia of the adults was used for the cladistic analysis. The phylogenetic results show that Aluntiini s.l. as placed in Dictyopharidae is well supported, but it is distinctly paraphyletic and should be separated into two unambiguous tribes. A palaeotropical distribution pattern displayed by Aluntiini is suggested. The origin and diversification of Aluntiini are discussed preliminarily. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London