A revision of the brassoline genus Selenophanes (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera)

The Brassoline genus Selenophanes is revised: three new subspecies are described and three lectotypes designated. The nine known holotypes and two of the three lectotypes are figured. Along the Andes there is a fairly close agreement in the distribution of some of the species and subspecies of Selenophanes with the recently recognized endemic centres. East of the Andes there is no close correspondence between subspecies and endemic centres; each subspecies has, in general, a distribution across several centres. A similar distribution has been noted previously in the Brassoline genus Catoblepia.     

A revision of the brassoline genus Opsiphanes (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera)

The brassoline genus Opsiphanes is revised: 18 new subspecies are described, 12 new synonymies established, the status of nine species and subspecies is revised and 30 lectotypes are designated. Seventy-two (of 92) primary types are figured, many for the first time. Along the Andes, there is a fairly close agreement between the distribution of some of the subspecies of Opsiphanes with the recently recognized endemic centres. East of the Andes, there is no close agreement between subspecies and endemic centres; each subspecies has, in general, a distribution across several centres. A similar distribution has been noted previously in the brassoline genera Catoblepia and Selenophanes. Some subspecies, however, indicate previously unrecognized centres or subcentres in Colombia and Ecuador.     

Taxonomic revision of the olingos (Bassaricyon), with description of a new species,the Olinguito

We present the first comprehensive taxonomic revision and review the biology of the olingos, the endemic Neotropical procyonid genus Bassaricyon, based on most specimens available in museums, and with data derived from anatomy, morphometrics, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, field observations, and geographic range modeling. Species of Bassaricyon are primarily forest-living, arboreal, nocturnal, frugivorous, and solitary, and have one young at a time. We demonstrate that four olingo species can be recognized, including a Central American species (Bassaricyon gabbii), lowland species with eastern, cis-Andean (Bassaricyon alleni) and western, trans-Andean (Bassaricyon medius) distributions, and a species endemic to cloud forests in the Andes. The oldest evolutionary divergence in the genus is between this last species, endemic to the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador, and all other species, which occur in lower elevation habitats. Surprisingly, this Andean endemic species, which we call the Olinguito, has never been previously described; it represents a new species in the order Carnivora and is the smallest living member of the family Procyonidae. We report on the biology of this new species based on information from museum specimens, niche modeling, and fieldwork in western Ecuador, and describe four Olinguito subspecies based on morphological distinctions across different regions of the Northern Andes.     

A taxonomic review of the genus Hypocalymma (Myrtaceae)

The genus Hypocalymma endemic to Western Australia and comprising 22 species species including the widely cultivated Swan River Myrtle and Swamp Myrtle, is revised. Nine new species ( H. connatum, H. hirsutum, H, gardneri, H. jessicae, H. melaleucoides, H. serrulatum, H. sylvestris, H. tenuatum and H. uncinatum ), two new subspecies ( H. cordifolium subsp. minus and H. strictum subsp. elongatum ) and one new combination ( H. angustifolium subsp. longifolium ) are described or made. A key to all species is presented for this horticulturally significant genus.     

Pronophiline butterflies (Satyridae) of the three Andean Cordilleras of Colombia

The 125 species of the satyrid butterfly tribe Pronophilini known from the three Andean Cordilleras of Colombia are listed, together with two species whose Colombian status is doubtful. The biological, ecological and biogeographical features of the tribe are described, using the listed species as examples. The features include restriction to moist conditions at high altitudes, endemism in the Cordilleras and in areas and on slopes within them, allopatric speciation and subspeciation, parapatric distributions of related species up the altitude gradients, intraspecific variation and polymorphism and apparent mimicry. The criteria used for classifying the taxa and assessing their relationships are discussed. Seventeen new species, three new subspecies and one new form are described. At the species level, 11 new synonymies are established, two synonymies are rejected, the status of 15 other taxa is revised, and 23 new combinations are made. At the generic level, two new synonymies are established, and one genus is resurrected.     

Pronophiline butterflies (Satyridae) of the Cordillera de Mérida, Venezuela

The 36 species of the tribe Pronophilini known from the Cordillera de Merida, the main Andean mountain range in Venezuela, are listed, together with three others probably erroneously described or labelled as from the range. The general ecological characteristics of the tribe are described, using the Merida species as examples. These include its restriction to high altitudes, endemism in mountain 'islands', species partitioning up the altitude gradient, mimicry within the tribe, and seasonality. The evolutionary relationships of the 16 endemic species are analyzed. Two new genera, six new species, two new subspecies and one new form are described. Three new synonymies are established, three new combinations made, new status is given to two taxa and the status of one taxon is revised.     

四川贡嘎山地区杜鹃属的地理分布及区系组成

贡嘎山地区位于青藏高原的东南缘,横断山系的东北段,现有杜鹃属植物73种4变种2亚种。在贡嘎山地区东坡的不同垂直高度上分布有43种(包括变、亚种)杜鹃,西坡则分布有63种(包括变、亚种)。贡嘎山地区杜鹃属植物的区系组成属于泛北极植物区,大致分为:1、中国-日本森林植物亚区,只有1种杜鹃。2、中国-喜马拉雅森林植物亚区,有78种(包括4变种, 2亚种),其中(1)1种分布于西藏、云南,并经云南入缅甸分布;(2)44种为四川特产;(3)5种为贡嘎山地区特有种。另外,贡嘎山地区杜鹃属植物区系还有其特点:1、贡嘎山地区是杜鹃属植物分布中心之一;2、贡嘎山地区是杜鹃属植物分化中心之一;3、贡嘎山地区杜鹃属植物有垂直替代现象。     

The Apionidae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) of New Caledonia, genus Caledonapion Wanat

The New Caledonian endemic weevil genus Caledonapion is revised, with one new species, C . assimile , described. Diagnoses, a key and distribution maps are provided for both species of the genus. An association of Caledonapion with the plant genus Hedycarya (Monimiaceae) is suggested from field observations.     

A revision of the desert shrub Fagonia (Zygophyllaceae)

The taxonomy of the desert shrub genus Fagonia is revised in detail. In total 167 names are accounted for, lectotypes are selected for 33 names, and two names are neotypified. A key to the 34 species is presented, as well as distribution maps for each species. Three new species are described and illustrated, F. densispina and F. latistipulata from Somalia, and F. hadramautica from Yemen. Of the accepted species, 24 are restricted to the Old World and eight to the New World. Most of the Old World species are confined to the Saharo‐Sindian region, with two extending to parts of Macaronesia. Eight species are endemic to the Somali‐Masai region, and two are restricted to southern Africa. In the New World four species are endemic to Baja California, two to northern Baja California and adjacent parts of southwestern USA, one to the province of Coahuila in northeastern Mexico, and one to Chile and Peru. The names of all four species of Fagonia currently on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants are put into synonymy.     

Areas of endemism and distribution patterns for Neotropical Piper species (Piperaceae)

Aim The study aimed to establish areas of endemism and distribution patterns for Neotropical species of the genus Piper in the Neotropical and Andean regions by means of parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) and track‐compatibility analysis. Location The study area includes the Neotropical region and the Northern Andean region (Páramo‐Punan subregion). Methods We used distribution information from herbarium specimens and recent monographic revisions for 1152 species of Piper from the Neotropics. First, a PAE was attempted in order to delimit the areas of endemism. Second, we performed a track‐compatibility analysis to establish distribution patterns for Neotropical species of Piper. Terminology for grouping Piper is based on recent phylogenetic analyses. Results The PAE yielded 104 small endemic areas for the genus Piper, 80 of which are in the Caribbean, Amazonian and Paranensis subregions of the Neotropical region, and 24 in the Páramo‐Punan subregion of the Andean region. Track‐compatibility analysis revealed 26 generalized tracks, one in the Páramo‐Punan subregion (Andean region), 19 in the Neotropical region, and six connecting the Andean and Neotropical regions. Both the generalized tracks and endemic areas indicate that distribution of Piper species is restricted to forest areas in the Andes, Amazonia, Chocó, Central America, the Guayana Shield and the Brazilian Atlantic coast. Main conclusions Piper should not be considered an Andean‐centred group as it represents two large species components with distributions centred in the Amazonian and Andean regions. Furthermore, areas of greater species richness and/or endemism are restricted to lowland habitats belonging to the Neotropical region. The distribution patterns of Neotropical species of Piper could be explained by recent events in the Neotropical region, as is the case for the track connecting Chocó and Central America, where most of the species rich groups of the genus are found. Two kinds of event could explain the biogeography of a large part of the Piper taxa with Andean–Amazonian distribution: pre‐Andean and post‐Andean events.     

A revision of the Afrotropical taxa of the genus Amerila Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

This paper comprises a complete revision of the Afrotropical species of the genus Amerila ( Rhodogastria auct.), based on adult morphology. Examination of type material for most described taxa has resulted in numerous taxonomic changes. From a total of forty-seven previously described African taxa, thirty-five species including five newly described species and two new subspecies are recognized. For ten taxa, lectotypes have been selected, and for one species a neotype had to be designated. For each species, in addition to synonymy, a brief diagnosis based on external characters and genitalia is given, and the known distribution summarized. All species are illustrated by photographs and illustrations of male genitalia (except A.rufifemur , the male of which is unknown), and a key for determination of males by external characters is provided.     

江西木兰科植物的初步整理

通过野外采集及标本的整理鉴定, 确认江西产木兰科植物7 属22 种1 亚种, 其中3 种为江西特有种, 5 种为江西地理新分布。对各分类群进行了分类检索, 记载了其地理分布, 并列出凭证标本。     

Taxonomic synopsis of Hippophae (Elaeagnaceae)

The small genus Hippophae (Elaeagnaceae) was thoroughly revised by Rousi in 1971. Several systematic treatments have since then confused the concept. Recent reports from China have added new subspecies, taxa with possible hybrid origin, and invalidly published names. Phylogenetic work on morphology and molecular markers agrees to Rousi's view of terminal taxa and seven species are currently recognised. Hippophae rhamnoides is a highly variable species and circumscribes eight subspecies. Recent work also confirms hybrid origins of two Chinese taxa. The purpose of this paper is to present a taxonomic synopsis of the genus with all currently accepted taxa and known types, especially in a situation of growing economic interest in Hippophae. We also provide a key and a map of the generic distribution.     

The leaf-beetle genus Microdonacia Blackburn (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae): revision and systematic placement

Abstract. The genus Microdonacia Blackburn is revised and its systematic position considered. Ten species are treated, seven of which are new ( bidentata, eucryphiae, grevitteae, incurva, octodentata, pilosa, pomaderris ), and lectotypes are designated for two species. Four of the new species are placed in Tantawangalo subgen.n. Microdonacia is compared with the genera Cassena Weise, Licyllus Jacoby and Orthaltica Crotch. The sister-group for Microdonacia is identified as Orthaltica and these genera are placed incertae sedis in the Galerucinae, as used in the sense of Crowson (1967). The proposed phylogeny of the species is illustrated on a cladogram.     

The phytogeographical studies of Thermopsis (Fabaceae)

The present article is the first comprehensive treatment of phytogeography of Thermopsis (Fabaceae) in the world. Thermopsis is one of the few genera within Fabaceae with the distribution pattern of the East Asia-North American disjunction. The distribution patterns of 5 recognized sections (including a new one) covering 21 species in Thermopsis are analyzed, and the results show four centres of frequency of the genus: the Eastern Asiatic Region (9 spp. / 3 sects., including 4 endemic species), the Irano-Turanian Region (7 spp./3 sects., including 3 endemic species), the Rocky Mountain Region (7 spp./2 sects., all endemic), and the Atlantic North American Region (3 spp. / 1 sect., all endemic). In the light of the fact that most species and sections, a number of phylogenetic series of the genus, and the most primitive sections and most advanced sections in Thermopsis occur in the East Asia, the Eastern Asiatic Region might be the centre of diversity of the genus. As the Irano-Turanian Region and the Rocky Mountain Region were just second to that of Eastern Asiatic Region in number of sections and species, and many polyploids appeared in these regions, they were considered as the secondary centres of distribution and speciation of the genus. The speciation looks to be frequent and complex in these regions, and many new taxa have been described from there while many new reduced or incorporated taxa have happened over there. However, recent molecular data has shown that two reduced taxa of Thermopsis are distinct in these regions. Based on the modern distribution patterns and evolutionary trends in morphological characters of the genus, and available fossil record of the genus and the historical geology, we speculate that Thermopsis had already existed on Eurasia and North America before the Late Miocene, and probably originated from an ancestral form of Sophora-like taxa with lupine alkaloids somewhere in the Laurasia in the Early Tertiary or Late Cretaceous. After the separation of the two continents, species on different continents developed distinctly under influences of different evolutionary factors. In Asia, the late Tertiary orogeny, disappearing of the Tethys and aridity and freezing caused by the Quaternary glaciation were the main forces to promote the speciation and evolutionary processes, whereas in North America it was the Quaternary glaciation and the orogeny of partial area to promote evolution of the genus. According to the evolutionary trends in Thermopsis and the distribution pattern of the primitive taxa, Sino-Japanese Subregion of Eastern Asiatic Region may be considered asthe centre of primitive forms of Thermopsis.