TAXONOMY AND MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF THE RED ALGAL GENUS LENORMANDIA (RHODOMELACEAE,CERAMIALES)1

The genus Lenormandia Sonder is currently composed of nine species from Australia and New Zealand. Some of these are well known, but others are rare and ill defined. Material of all nine species has been examined and found to fall into three discrete morphological groups forming highly supported clades on analysis of 18S rDNA sequences. The first group contains four Australian‐endemic species and includes the type species L. spectabilis Sonder. Plants have a cleft apex that is not inrolled, a distinctive rhombic surface areolation pattern caused by a one‐ to two‐layered medulla of interlocking cells, lack pseudopericentral cells, and produce their reproductive structures on the blade surfaces. The type species of the genus Lenormandiopsis, L. latifolia (Harvey et Greville) Papenfuss, was found to belong to this group and is thus returned to Lenormandia where it was originally placed. Species falling into the other two groups are removed to new genera that are being described separately. One extremely rare species of Lenormandia from southwestern Australia is transferred to the delesseriacean genus Phitymophora.     

TAXONOMY OF ADAMSIELLA L.E. PHILLIPS ET W.A. NELSON,GEN. NOV. AND EPIGLOSSUM KÜTZING (RHODOMELACEAE,CERAMIALES)1

In a taxonomic/phylogenetic study of the genus Lenormandia, several species were found to differ significantly from the type species, L. spectabilis Sonder, in apical morphology, blade‐surface pattern, medullary construction, the presence of pseudopericentral cells, and the position of reproductive structures. These species constitute two groups that differ morphologically, a finding largely supported by analysis of 18S rRNA sequences, as reported previously. The two putative Lenormandia species from New Zealand, along with two previously undescribed species also from New Zealand, comprised one such group, designated here by the new genus name Adamsiella L.E. Phillips et W.A. Nelson, gen. nov. and including A. melchiori L.E. Phillips et W.A. Nelson, sp. nov., A. lorata L.E. Phillips et W.A. Nelson, sp. nov., A. angustifolia (Harvey) L.E. Phillips et W.A. Nelson, comb. nov., and A. chauvinii (Harvey) L.E. Phillips et W.A. Nelson comb. nov. Adamsiella differs from Lenormandia by incurved apices, a chevron surface pattern, and reproductive structures on dorsi‐ventrally flattened apically incurved polysiphonous branchlets usually produced at the margins. Two species endemic to Australia formed the second group designated by the resurrected generic name Epiglossum and also characterized by a strongly incurved apex and chevron surface pattern but with reproductive structures produced on terete polysiphonous branchlets found either on the midrib or elsewhere on the blade surface but not the margins. Epiglossum contains E. smithiae (J.D. Hooker et Harvey) Kützing and E. proliferum (C. Agardh) L.E. Phillips, comb. nov.     

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.     

Antechiniscus in Australia: Description of Antechiniscus moscali sp. n. and Redescription of Antechiniscus parvisentus (Horning & Schuster, 1983) (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae)

Two species of the genus Antechiniscus have been found in Nothofagus forests in Australia. The new species A. moscali sp. n. is described. The New Zealand species A. parvisentus (Horning & Schuster, 1983) is redescribed from type material and from the new material from Australia. The taxonomic status of the two species within the genus is discussed.     

Frugivore gape size and the evolution of fruit size and shape in southern hemisphere floras

Abstract The present study uses differences among frugivore faunas of the southern hemisphere landmasses to test whether frugivore characteristics have influenced the evolution of fruit traits. Strong floristic similarities exist among southern landmasses; for example, 75% of New Zealand vascular plant genera also have species in Australia. However, plants in Australia and South America have evolved in the presence of a range of mammalian frugivores, whereas those in New Zealand, New Caledonia and the Pacific Islands have not. In addition, the avian frugivores in New Zealand and New Caledonia are generally smaller than those of Australia. If frugivore characteristics have influenced the evolution of fruit traits, predictable differences should exist between southern hemisphere fruits, particularly fruit size and shape. Fruit dimensions were measured for 77 New Zealand species and 31 Australian species in trans‐Tasman genera. New Zealand fruits became significantly more ellipsoid in shape with increasing size. This is consistent with frugivore gape size imposing a selective pressure on fruit ingestability. This result is not a product of phylogenetic correlates, as fruit length and width scaled isometrically for Australian species in genera shared with New Zealand. Within‐genus contrasts between New Zealand and Australian species in 20 trans‐Tasman genera showed that New Zealand species have significantly smaller fruits than their Australian counterparts. Within‐genus contrasts between New Zealand and South American species in nine genera gave the same result; New Zealand species had significantly smaller fruits than their South American counterparts. No difference was found in fruit size or shape between New Zealand and New Caledonia congeneric species from 12 genera. These results are consistent with the broad characteristics of the frugivore assemblage influencing the evolution of fruit size and shape in related species. The smaller‐sized New Zealand frugivore assemblage has apparently influenced the evolution of fruit size of colonizing taxa sometimes within a relatively short evolutionary timeframe.     

Genetic differentiation within New Zealand Onychophora and their relationships to the Australian fauna

Specimens of peripatopsid Onychophora from New Zealand (the viviparous Peripatoid.es novaezealandiae and P. suteri and the oviparous Ooperipatellus insignis) have been analysed by allozyme electrophoresis and compared with three species of viviparous peripatus and 0. insignis from Australia. The data indicate that at least two species of Peripatoides are present, in addition to those described. Populations collected from Dunedin, in the South Island, are not referable on morphological grounds to any described genus. Furthermore, specimens exhibit such a high level of genetic distinctiveness that we speculate they have diverged from the Peripatoides and Euperipatoides lineages prior to the separation of Australia and New Zealand some 95 Myr ago. Specimens referable to 0. insignis from New Zealand are genetically quite distinct from 0. insignis at its type locality in Australia and must be considered endemic.     

Evolutionary significance and generic classification of the Williamsiellina (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Abstract. Despite the short maxillary stylets of its members, the Williamsiellina is interpreted as a highly derived, rather than as an ancestral, group of Phlaeothripidae. Four genera are placed in synonymy with Sophiothrips Hood (Nanothrips Faure; Zaxenothrips Crawford; Bagnalliola Priesner; Nanimothrips zur Strassen) as a result of studies on three new species. Two of these (aleurodisci and duvali) comprise a new species-group endemic to New Zealand; the third (greensladei) is found in Australia and New Zealand but is closely related to species from the Azores and Southern France,     

The Thrips orientalis group from South-east Asia and Australia: some species identities and relationships (Thysanoptera, Thripidae)

Abstract  A thrips associated in Thailand with the flowers of Paederia foetida , a rubiaceous weed in Florida that is a threat to Australia, is here recognised as Thrips morindae Priesner, a species previously considered a synonym of T. javanicus Priesner. Systematic relationships of these species with others in South-east Asia and the Australasian region are discussed. Two new species-groups are designated: the T. obscuratus group of six species from New Zealand and New Caledonia, and the T. orientalis group of 12 South-east Asian species that are associated with scented white flowers such as Gardenia . Four species of this second group are recorded from tropical Australia.     

A Middle-Late Eocene inflorescence of Caryophyllaceae from Tasmania, Australia

A new genus and species (Caryophylloflora paleogenica genus and species nova G. J. Jord. & Macphail) are proposed for a fossil inflorescence found in Middle-Late Eocene sediments at Locharbour, northeastern Tasmania, Australia. A parsimony analysis of 75 extant species of the order Caryophyllales and five outgroups placed the fossil within Caryophyllaceae, either subfamily Alsinoideae or Caryophylloideae. The analysis used molecular (rbcL and/or matK), morphological, and anatomical data for the extant species and morphological data for the fossil. Tests on extant species imply that the placement of the fossil should be convincing. The fossil appears to be of a lineage distinct from any extant Australian Caryophyllaceae. In situ pollen are consistent with the form species, Periporopollenites polyoratus. This relatively simple pollen type first appears in Australia and New Zealand in the Late Cretaceous, the oldest known record of the Caryophyllaceae. The last appearance of P. polyoratus in Australia is in the Oligocene, and extant Australian members of the Caryophyllaceae are best interpreted as having evolved from species that dispersed from elsewhere during the Neogene or Quaternary.     

The anatomy of the opisthobranch genus Hydatina and the functioning of the mantle cavity and alimentary canal

A study of specimens of Hydatina physis (Linne, 1758) from Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii shows that the radula is variable and that sometimes a central tooth is present. A comparison with a specimen from the Canary Islands suggests thatH. stromfelti Odhner, 1932 is a geographical form of H. physis. A similar explanation applies to the small shell variations found in West Indian forms, sometimes described as H. vesicaria Solander, 1786.
The anatomy of specimens of Hydatina amplustre (Linne, 1758) confirms that this species is congeneric with H. physis. It is suggested that members of this genus feed specifically on cirratulid polychaetes. The nervous system, reproductive system and mantle cavity show that the Hydatinidae are primitive opisthobranchs, closely related to the Acteonidae and the Bullinidae.     

Classification,origins, and patterns of diversification in New ZealandCarmichaelinae (Fabaceae)

Analysis of ITS sequences provides support for a clade that includes Carmichaelia, Clianthus, Montigena, and Swainsona. We provide a node-based definition and recommend that this clade be called Carmichaelinae. Results suggest that Carmichaelinae are derived from northern hemisphere Astragalinae. The clade has extensively radiated in Australia, and two independent lineages have diversified in New Zealand. The New Zealand lineages differ in species richness. One lineage consists of 24 species placed in Carmichaelia and Clianthus, while the other corresponds to the monotypic genus Montigena. The pattern of relationships inferred from ITS sequences suggests that the New Zealand radiation was recent and possibly accompanied episodes of mountain-building and glaciation.     

Molecular evidence for bicontinental hybridogenous genomic constitution in Lepidium sensu stricto (Brassicaceae) species from Australia and New Zealand

Lepidium sensu stricto (s.s.) (Brassicaceae) (ca. 150 species) is distributed worldwide with endemic species on every continent. It is represented in Australia and New Zealand by 19 and seven native species, respectively. In the present study we used a nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) phylogeny in comparison with a cpDNA phylogeny to unravel the origin of Australian/New Zealand species. Although phylogenetic relationships within Lepidium s.s. were not fully resolved, the cpDNA data were in agreement with a Californian origin of Lepidium species from Australia/New Zealand. Strongly conflicting signals between the cp- and nuclear DNA phylogenetic analysis clearly indicated hybridogenous genomic constitution of Australian Lepidium s.s. species: All 18 studied Australian/New Zealand Lepidium s.s. species examined shared a Californian cpDNA type. While eleven Australian/New Zealand species appeared to harbor a Californian ITS type, a group of seven species shared a South African ITS type. This pattern is most likely explained by two trans-oceanic dispersals of Lepidium from California and Africa to Australia/New Zealand and subsequent hybridization followed by homogenization of the ribosomal DNA either to the Californian or South African ITS type in the two different lineages. Calibration of our molecular trees indicates a Pliocene/Pleistocene origin of Lepidium in Australia/New Zealand. Low levels of cpDNA and ITS sequence divergence and unresolved topologies within Australian/New Zealand species suggest a rapid and recent radiation of Lepidium after the hybridization event. This coincides with dramatic climatic changes in that geological epoch shaping the composition of the vegetation.     

Evolution and phylogeny of the New Zealand cicada genus Kikihia Dugdale (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae) with special reference to the origin of the Kermadec and Norfolk Islands' species

Aim Determine the phylogeny and dispersal patterns of the cicada genus Kikihia in New Zealand and the origin of the Norfolk, Kermadec, and Chatham Island cicadas. Location New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Kermadec Islands and Chatham Island. Methods DNA sequences from 16 species and four soon to be described species of cicadas from New Zealand and Norfolk Island (Australia) were examined. A total of 1401 base pairs were analysed from whole genome extraction of three mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit II, ATPase6 and ATPase8). These DNA sequences were aligned and analysed using standard likelihood approaches to phylogenetic analysis. Dates of divergences between clades were determined using a molecular clock based on Bayesian statistics. Results Most species in the genus Kikihia diverged between 3 and 5 million years ago (Ma) coincident with a period of rapid mountain building in New Zealand. Cicada species on the Kermadec and Norfolk Islands invaded recently from New Zealand and are closely related to the New Zealand North Island species Kikihia cutora. Main conclusions Speciation in the genus Kikihia was likely due in large part to the appearance of new habitats associated with the rise of the Southern Alps, starting c. 5 Ma. Dispersal of Kikihia species within mainland New Zealand probably occurred gradually rather than through long‐distance jumps. However, invasion of Norfolk, the Kermadecs and Chatham Islands had to have occurred through long‐distance dispersal.     

Testing the monophyly of the New Zealand and Australian endemic family Conoesucidae Ross based on combined molecular and morphological data (Insecta: Trichoptera: Sericostomatoidea)

Conoesucidae (Trichoptera, Insecta) are restricted to SE Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. The family includes 42 described species in 12 genera, and each genus is endemic to either New Zealand or Australia. Although monophyly has been previously assumed, no morphological characters have been proposed to represent synapomorphies for the group. We collected molecular data from two mitochondrial genes (16S and cytochrome oxidase I), one nuclear gene (elongation factor 1-α) (2237–2277 bp in total), and 12 morphological characters to produce the first phylogeny of the family. We combined the molecular and morphological characters and performed both a maximum parsimony analysis and a Bayesian analysis to test the monophyly of the family, and to hypothesize the phylogeny among its genera. The parsimony analysis revealed a single most parsimonious tree with Conoesucidae being a monophyletic taxon and sistergroup to the Calocidae. The Bayesian inference produced a distribution of trees, the consensus of which is supported with posterior probabilities of 100% for 15 out of 22 possible ingroup clades including the most basal branch of the family, indicating strong support for a monophyletic Conoesucidae. The most parsimonious tree and the tree from the Bayesian analysis were identical except that the ingroup genus Pycnocentria changed position by jumping to a neighbouring clade. Based on the assumption that the ancestral conoesucid species was present on both New Zealand and Australia, a biogeographical analysis using the dispersal-vicariance criteria demonstrated that one or two (depending on which of the two phylogenetic reconstructions were applied) sympatric speciation events took place on New Zealand prior to a single, late dispersal from New Zealand to Australia.     

The leopardChimaera, a new species of chimaeroid fish from New Zealand (Holocephali, Chimaeriformes, Chimaeridae)

A new species ofChimaera is described from three specimens collected from deep water fishing grounds off the North Island of New Zealand at depths ranging from 327–1020 m. This species is distinguished from all other members of the genus by gray coloration with chocolate brown reticulations and spots covering the body and fins, as well as additional external features such as rounded pelvic fins, first dorsal fin with distinct white margin, preopercular and oral lateral line canals sharing a common branch, and morphology of pelvic claspers in males bifid, the distal 1/3 divided, with pale colored fleshy, distal lobes. Comparisons are made toC. monstrosa andC. owstoni, the two most similar species in the genus. this represents the first species ofChimaera to be described from New Zealand.     

Phylogeny of the Bangia flora of New Zealand suggests a southern origin for Porphyra and Bangia (Bangiales, Rhodophyta)

Analysis of nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA) sequence data from 123 samples of the red algal genus Bangia from mainland New Zealand has revealed diversity exceeding that reported for the genus from any other region in the world. Our study resolves two New Zealand Bangia taxa basal to the order Bangiales, and five clades of Bangia, four of which include New Zealand members. The basal taxa are separated from each other by 139 bp and differ from all other Bangia taxa in the New Zealand region by 103-163 bp over approximately 1750 bp 18S rDNA sequence data. Our results reveal a Bangia flora of previously unsuspected richness, and show that the simple morphology of these organisms obscures significant levels of genetic diversity. The presence of high diversity and retention of basal taxa in New Zealand Bangia raises the prospect that the southern hemisphere, and particularly eastern Gondwana, is not only a centre of diversity, but a centre of origin for the modern Bangiales.     

First phylogenetic and biogeographical study of the southern bluebells (Wahlenbergia, Campanulaceae)

Wahlenbergia is a largely southern hemisphere genus of at least 260 species; within Campanulaceae only Campanula is larger. This first phylogeny of Wahlenbergia was reconstructed using about 20% of the 260 species in the genus based on the nuclear ribosomal ITS marker and the chloroplast trnL-F marker with samples from South Africa, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Wahlenbergia was confirmed to be non-monophyletic, though most of the species form a clade. Our tree topology and date estimates indicate that Wahlenbergia diverged in South Africa about 29.6 mya, then dispersed to Australasia about 4.8 mya, thus indicating the radiation of Wahlenbergia occurred relatively recently. Radiations occurred in both of these main centres; there are currently about 170 species in South Africa and 45 species and subspecies in Australasia. New Zealand species comprise two clades, both rooted within the Australasian clade. We thus propose two dispersals from Australia to New Zealand, one leading to a radiation of species with the rhizomatous herbaceous growth form ca. 1.6 mya, and the other leading to a radiation of species with the radicate growth form 0.7 mya. Dispersals from Australia to New Zealand match the expected direction, following the west wind drift and ocean currents. The herbaceous growth form was shown to be ancestral for the genus as a whole, and polyploidy has been a mechanism of the evolution of the genus in Australasia.     

A biogeographic review of Parahebe (Scrophulariaceae)

Distribution maps and notes are given for the 41 species of Parahebe sensu lata. The genus occurs in New Zealand, south-east Australia and New Guinea, with greatest diversity in New Zealand, especially in the Spenser Mountains region of South Island. A group of species with ciliate floral discs is found in north-east South Island, and also in eastern Papua New Guinea. This outer Australasian arc distribution is attributed to the group having originated before the break-up of Gondwana. Within New Zealand the P. catarraclae complex shows disjunction along the Alpine Fault, a plate boundary of the transform type. The disjunction is attributed to massive lateral displacement on the Fault during Tertiary time pulling apart plant populations. Parahebe sect. Paniculatae is newly described. The following new combinations are made: Parahebe brevistylis, P. macrantha, P. macrantha var. brachyphylla, P. raoulii, P. r. subsp. maccaskillii, P. r. subsp. pentasepala, P. lavaudiana, P. hulkeana, P. nivea, P. arenaria, P. velutina, P. blakelyi, P. arcuata, P. derwentiana subsp. maideniana, P. d. subsp. homalodonta, P. d. subsp. anisodonta and P. d. subsp. subglauca.     

Trichelodes (=Hexanodes), type of Trichelodini new tribe,and its affinities with the Trinodini (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Abstract

Hexanodes Blair, 1941 from New Zealand is synonymous with the Australian genus Trichelodes Carter, 1935, here transferred from the Dascillidae (sensu Carter) to the monotypic new dermestid tribe Trichelodini. Couplets for Trichelodini and the closely related Trinodini are given for integration into Crowson's key to the subfamilies (= tribes?) of Dermestidae. The genera of Trinodini and the two known species of Trichelodes are keyed. Trichelodes delicatula (Australia) and T. vulgata (New Zealand) are redescribed; a lectotype is designated for vulgata, and its synonymy is updated.